Entropy Principle for the Development of Complex Biotic Systems
Organisms, Ecosystems, the Earth
- 1st Edition - January 19, 2012
- Imprint: Elsevier
- Author: Ichiro Aoki
- Language: English
- Paperback ISBN:9 7 8 - 0 - 3 2 3 - 2 8 2 3 2 - 1
- Hardback ISBN:9 7 8 - 0 - 1 2 - 3 9 1 4 9 3 - 4
- eBook ISBN:9 7 8 - 0 - 1 2 - 3 9 4 4 0 4 - 7
The concept of entropy in thermodynamics is a complex one, though it is fundamental in understanding physics, the workings of the mind, and biology. Entropy is the measure of th… Read more
Purchase options
Institutional subscription on ScienceDirect
Request a sales quoteThe concept of entropy in thermodynamics is a complex one, though it is fundamental in understanding physics, the workings of the mind, and biology. Entropy is the measure of the quality of energy, and it can also refer to the turn from order to disorder or randomness in isolated systems. In open systems, such as biology, entropy is formulated in terms of production and energy flow. This book establishes a novel view of complex biological systems and the earth using this concept of entropy, encompassing the interdisciplinary area of biology, ecology and physics. This book considers the development over time of a range of biologically complex systems such as plants, animals, humans, and ecosystems, describing them in terms of the second law of thermodynamics, entropy. With its broad coverage of biological systems, this book will be useful for students of environmental science as well as students in biology and physics.
- Includes discussion of multiple complex systems including the earth and biological systems within it.
- Suitable for those with little physics background who wish to learn how the laws of physics apply to ecological systems.
- Clearly organized by system, making information easy to access.
Ecologists, Biologists, Physicists
- Preface
- 1. Thermodynamics and Living Systems
- 1.1. Thermodynamics
- 2. Plant Leaves
- 2.1. Broad Leaves (Aoki, 1987a)
- 2.2. Conifer Branches (Aoki, 1989b)
- 2.3. Entropy Production at Night
- 2.4. Theorem of Oscillating Entropy Production
- 3. Animals
- 3.1. White-Tailed Deer
- 3.2. Lizard
- 3.3. Pigs
- 4. Humans I
- 4.1. Direct Calorimetry: Outline and Significance
- 4.2. Calculation of Entropy Production
- 4.3. Entropy Homeostasis
- 4.4. Nonbasal Effects
- 5. Humans II
- 5.1. Biological Meanings
- 5.2. Physical Formulation
- 5.3. Age Dependence I: Per Surface Area
- 5.4. Age Dependence II: Per Individual
- 6. Ecological Communities
- 6.1. Respiration
- 6.2. Trophic Diversity
- 6.3. Trophic Diversity Versus Respiration
- 6.4. Eutrophication
- 6.5. Arrow of Time
- 6.6. The Dissipation Function and Entropy Production
- 6.7. Discussion
- 7. Lake Ecosystems
- 7.1. Methods of Calculation (Aoki 1987b, 1989a, 1998)
- 7.2. Lake Biwa and Lake Mendota
- 7.3. Senescent Stages
- 7.4. Discussion
- 8. Entropy Principle in Living Systems (Min–Max Principle)
- 9. The Earth
- 9.1. Planets of the Solar System
- 9.2. Earth’s Surface and Atmosphere
- Appendix. Energy Budget Equation: The First Law of Thermodynamics
- References
- Edition: 1
- Published: January 19, 2012
- No. of pages (Paperback): 118
- No. of pages (eBook): 122
- Imprint: Elsevier
- Language: English
- Paperback ISBN: 9780323282321
- Hardback ISBN: 9780123914934
- eBook ISBN: 9780123944047
IA
Ichiro Aoki
Affiliations and expertise
Department of Systems Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Shizuoka University, Hamamatsu, JapanRead Entropy Principle for the Development of Complex Biotic Systems on ScienceDirect