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Multiple Choice
Which of the following statements about energy flow in ecosystems is correct?
A
Energy is recycled between trophic levels without any loss.
B
Energy decreases as it moves up to higher trophic levels.
C
Energy in higher trophic levels is greater than energy at lower trophic levels.
D
All trophic levels contain equal amounts of energy.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the concept of energy flow in ecosystems: Energy flows through an ecosystem in a one-way direction, starting from the sun, which is captured by producers (plants) through photosynthesis, and then transferred to consumers (herbivores, carnivores, etc.) as they feed on other organisms.
Recall the 10% Rule: In most ecosystems, only about 10% of the energy at one trophic level is transferred to the next higher trophic level. The remaining energy is lost as heat due to metabolic processes or used for maintenance and reproduction.
Analyze the first statement: 'Energy is recycled between trophic levels without any loss.' This is incorrect because energy is not recycled; it flows in one direction and is lost as heat at each transfer.
Analyze the second statement: 'Energy decreases as it moves up to higher trophic levels.' This is correct because energy diminishes with each transfer due to the 10% Rule and energy loss as heat.
Evaluate the remaining statements: 'Energy in higher trophic levels is greater than energy at lower trophic levels' and 'All trophic levels contain equal amounts of energy.' Both are incorrect because energy decreases as it moves up the trophic levels, and energy is not evenly distributed across trophic levels.