Why doesn’t natural selection violate the Second Law of Thermodynamics?

a.
Populations are not isolated systems due to immigration and emigration.

b.
Natural selection can create more ordered systems, but this increase in order is fueled by energy from outside sources.

c.
Natural selection actually increases entropy because evolution is a random process.

d.
Natural selection does increase order (reduce entropy) but the energetic costs are low.

e.
Solar radiation is exothermic.

Question

Why doesn’t natural selection violate the Second Law of Thermodynamics?

	a.	
Populations are not isolated systems due to immigration and emigration.

	b.	
Natural selection can create more ordered systems, but this increase in order is fueled by energy from outside sources.

	c.	
Natural selection actually increases entropy because evolution is a random process.

	d.	
Natural selection does increase order (reduce entropy) but the energetic costs are low.

	e.	
Solar radiation is exothermic.

greatlife44 · Answer

Nice question

bioepic · Answer

Not E, D, or A.

bioepic · Answer

I think either B or C - not sure yet

bioepic · Answer

I think C - not 100% sure tho (don't trust me, ask others too).

anonymous · Answer

it's actually b! thanks for helping me narrow it down!

bioepic · Answer

Yup! No problem!