Final answer:
A set of ordered, interrelated components and their attributes linked by flows of energy and matter refers to a biological system, which follows the laws of thermodynamics and is influenced by energy and matter transfers, such as in food webs in ecosystems.
Step-by-step explanation:
The concept described in the question refers to a biological system, which can range from a single cell to a complex ecosystem. A biological system consists of ordered, interrelated components, like organisms or cells, that are linked through the flows of energy and matter. These systems obey the fundamental laws of chemistry and physics, including the laws of thermodynamics, which govern energy transfer. For instance, in an ecosystem, energy flows through food webs, and each transfer results in a decrease in available energy, as some is lost as heat, leading to increased entropy or disorder within the system.
In the context of an ecosystem, the term explains how living organisms interact with each other and with their physical environment, facilitating the movement of both energy and matter. For example, in a food web, energy flows from the sun to photosynthetic plants and then to various levels of consumers and decomposers. Through these interactions, biological systems maintain the energy balance critical for the survival of organisms and the functioning of ecosystems.