Question
In what ways cycling of materials and flow of energy in the environment differ?
Solution
Cycling of materials and flow of energy in biosphere differ mainly in following ways :
(i) Flow of energy is unidirectional, i.e., from non-living to living things.
Unlike energy cycle the material cycle through living and non-living components of the biosphere.
(ii) Energy once trapped get lost as heat during its passage through trophic levels of food chain. Therefore, constant supply of energy from the sun is necessary.
The amount of various elements/minerals cycling through living and non-living components more or less remains constant.
