Multiple Choice
In the context of energy flow through ecosystems, what is the primary role of nutrients?
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52. Ecosystems
Energy Flow Through Ecosystems
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Which statement is true about energy flow in an ecosystem?
A
Energy is continuously recycled within an ecosystem in the same way that nutrients are recycled.
B
Energy flows in one direction from producers to consumers and is ultimately lost as heat, so it is not recycled within the ecosystem.
C
Energy increases at each higher trophic level because organisms become more efficient at converting food to biomass.
D
Energy moves through an ecosystem in cycles and returns to producers after passing through consumers.
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand the concept of energy flow in ecosystems: Energy enters ecosystems primarily through sunlight, which producers (like plants) convert into chemical energy via photosynthesis.
Recognize that energy transfer between trophic levels (producers to consumers) is inefficient, with some energy lost as heat at each step due to metabolic processes.
Recall the First Law of Thermodynamics, which states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, but the Second Law explains that energy quality decreases (entropy increases), meaning energy is not recycled but flows in one direction.
Contrast energy flow with nutrient cycling: Nutrients are recycled within ecosystems through biogeochemical cycles, but energy flows in a linear path and is eventually lost as heat.
Conclude that the true statement is that energy flows in one direction from producers to consumers and is ultimately lost as heat, so it is not recycled within the ecosystem.
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