Multiple Choice
What is the term for each step in the transfer of energy and matter within a biological community?
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52. Ecosystems
Energy Flow Through Ecosystems
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What percentage of energy is typically transferred from one trophic level to the next higher trophic level in an ecosystem?
A
About 10%
B
About 1%
C
About 90%
D
About 50%
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand the concept of energy transfer in ecosystems: Energy flows through trophic levels in a food chain, starting from producers (plants) to primary consumers (herbivores), secondary consumers (carnivores), and so on. At each step, energy is lost due to metabolic processes and heat.
Recall the '10% Rule': In ecology, it is generally observed that only about 10% of the energy from one trophic level is transferred to the next higher trophic level. The rest is lost as heat or used for the organism's life processes.
Analyze the options provided: The question asks for the percentage of energy transferred. Compare the options (About 10%, About 1%, About 90%, About 50%) with the 10% Rule.
Eliminate incorrect answers: About 1% is too low, About 90% and About 50% are too high, leaving About 10% as the most accurate choice based on ecological principles.
Conclude that the correct answer aligns with the 10% Rule, which is a widely accepted principle in biology for energy transfer between trophic levels.
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