Biology Essay

Biology Essay

Photosynthesis v. Semiconductor-Based Solar Cell
Lori Glenn-Wyche

Professor Lynn Roginsky

SCI 116 Introduction to Biology

May 2, 2010

PHOTOSYNTHESIS

      All of our food is derived from photosynthesis. The products of photosynthesis are sought to feed and fuel the world. Photosynthesis describes the process by which plants synthesize organic compounds from inorganic raw materials in the presence of sunlight. Plants and certain types of bacteria capture the energy directly from solar radiation and utilize it for the synthesis of essential food materials. Animals cannot use sunlight directly as a source of energy; they obtain the energy from eating plants or by eating other animals that have eaten plants.   (Oakley, 1999).
      The first law of thermodynamics is the law of conservation of energy. Energy can be neither created nor destroyed, although it can be transferred from one form to another. The laws of thermodynamics apply to photosynthesis as the process consists of energy received from the sun being used as a food or energy source. According to the second law, the energy that is lost due to heat directly shows the relation to the laws of thermodynamics. (Rose, 2005).
SEMICONDUCTOR

      Anything that is computerized or uses radio waves depends on semiconductors. Semiconductors have a major impact on our environment as it is a material that has an electrical conductivity between the conductor and insulator. Semiconductors include chemical elements and compounds such as silicon, germanium, and gallium arsenide. The conductivity of a semiconductor increases with temperature, light, or the addition of impurities. (Silicon Far East, 2006).
      The laws of thermodynamics apply to semiconduction as it relates to the temperature and light and its ability to function as a conductor and insulator. The second law of thermodynamics states that when heat is transformed into work, it is impossible to transform all of the heat into work without...