Final answer:
The second law of thermodynamics actually states that every energy transfer increases the universe's entropy, not that the energy amount does not change. The ultimate energy source for living systems is the sun, not chlorophyll. CO2 is fixed in light-independent reactions, and the most stable and abundant form of hydrogen in the environment is water, not H2.
Step-by-step explanation:
Let's evaluate the statements provided:
- The second law of thermodynamics states that the total amount of energy in the Universe does not change. False. This statement describes the first law of thermodynamics, which asserts that the total amount of energy is constant; energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred or transformed. The second law, on the other hand, states that every energy transfer increases the entropy of the universe, making systems more disordered, with some energy typically lost as heat.
- The ultimate source of energy for living systems is chlorophyll. False. The ultimate source of energy for living systems is the sun, and chlorophyll is a molecule in plants that allows them to absorb the sun's energy and convert it into chemical energy through photosynthesis.
- CO2 gas is fixed in a series of reactions that are light-dependent. False. The Calvin cycle, where CO2 is fixed, is light-independent. It takes place in the stroma of the chloroplasts and does not require light directly, although it is indirectly dependent on the ATP and NADPH produced during the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis.
- H2 is the most stable and abundant form of hydrogen in the environment. False. The most stable and abundant form of hydrogen in the Earth's environment is H2O, water. Molecular hydrogen, H2, is not abundant in Earth's atmosphere because it is light and escapes into space, and reacts easily with other elements.