Answer to Question 1ANS: A
The second law of thermodynamics shows that there is a tendency for disorder to increase in the
universe over time. If there is disorder in the universe, then there is also disorder in all the organisms
of the universe. Information can be found in the section The Flow of Energy through Living Things
Allows Them to Maintain Complex Organization
Answer to Question 2ANS:Answer
should include:
Western boundary currents are those that move warm water towards the pole. They are
narrow currents with relatively defined boundaries. They are deep and move fast. There
are 5 large western boundary currents, the Gulf Stream being the largest.
Western boundary currents tend to be depleted of nutrients and have little or no
upwelling events associated with them. This makes them relatively biologically
unproductive.
Eddies are commonly found in western boundary currents as well.
Eastern boundary currents carry cold water towards the equator. They are shallow and
broad with ill defined boundaries. These currents are slow moving.
Although eddies tend not to form in eastern boundary currents like eastern boundary
currents, there is coastal upwelling commonly associated with them.
Transverse currents travel from east to west or vice versa. They are vital in connecting
eastern and western boundary currents. These are a result from trade winds. The
Antarctic Circumpolar Current is the transverse current which is the also largest of all
ocean currents.
Mid-latitude, eastern flowing currents are wider and flow slower compared to equatorial
transverse currents. This is due to the influence of trade winds.