Multiple Choice
How do freshwater and saltwater compare in terms of their dissolved solids?
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48. Ecology
Introduction to Ecology
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In the context of energy transfer in ecosystems, why is feeding plant crops to animals generally considered an inefficient use of those crops?
A
Because feeding plant crops to animals reduces the need for photosynthesis.
B
Because animals convert all the energy from plant crops directly into biomass.
C
Because animals increase the total energy available in the ecosystem by eating plant crops.
D
Because much of the energy in plant crops is lost as heat and waste when transferred to animals.
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand the concept of energy transfer in ecosystems: Energy flows through ecosystems in a food chain, starting with primary producers (plants) that convert sunlight into chemical energy through photosynthesis. This energy is then transferred to consumers (animals) when they eat plants.
Recognize the inefficiency in energy transfer: When animals consume plant crops, only a portion of the energy stored in the plants is converted into animal biomass. A significant amount of energy is lost as heat during metabolic processes and as waste products.
Apply the 10% rule: In ecological energy transfer, typically only about 10% of the energy from one trophic level is passed on to the next level. This means that feeding plant crops to animals results in a substantial energy loss compared to directly consuming the plants.
Clarify why the other options are incorrect: Feeding plant crops to animals does not reduce the need for photosynthesis, as photosynthesis is essential for energy production in plants. Animals do not convert all the energy from plant crops directly into biomass, and they do not increase the total energy available in the ecosystem by eating plant crops.
Conclude with the correct reasoning: Feeding plant crops to animals is inefficient because much of the energy in plant crops is lost as heat and waste during the transfer to animals, reducing the overall energy available for human consumption or other uses.
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