3 ms·
One question that I have if there is so much energy then why is life not using more of it? I guess there are a bunch of other constraints on life other than the
by x5n1 11y ago
One question that I have if there is so much energy then why is life not using more of it? I guess there are a bunch of other constraints on life other than the sun's energy so my point is off.
- jacquesm 11y agoConversion inefficiency, maximum conversion limits (a black leaf would burn up in full sunlight), consumption of energy by other bits and pieces of the planet other than living creatures (the atmosphere, for instance is a huge consumer, as is the planet itself, just to keep it above freezing, see also: albedo).
- dalke 11y agoEvolution is constrained by its history. There could be more efficient mechanisms to use sunlight to drive metabolism, but it's simply not reachable through evolutionary means.