Question

living organisms increase in complexity as they grow, resulting in a decrease in the entropy of an organism. how does this relate to the second law of thermodynamics?

living organisms do not obey the second law of thermodynamics, which states that entropy must increase with time.

living organisms do not follow the laws of thermodynamics.

as a consequence of growing, organisms cause a greater increase in entropy in their environment than the decrease in entropy associated with their growth.

living organisms are able to transform energy into entropy.

Explanation:

The second - law of thermodynamics applies to the entire universe (system + surroundings). While living organisms may experience a decrease in entropy as they grow and become more complex, they are open systems. They take in energy (e.g., food) and release waste and heat to the environment. The overall effect is that the increase in entropy of the environment due to the organism's activities is greater than the decrease in entropy within the organism.

Answer:

As a consequence of growing, organisms cause a greater increase in entropy in their environment than the decrease in entropy associated with their growth.