In an ecosystem, why is energy flow across trophic levels strictly unidirectional?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: B. Because energy lost as metabolic heat cannot be reused by green plants
- Step 1: Energy captured by autotrophs from sunlight does not revert back to solar radiant energy.
- Step 2: According to Lindeman's 10% law, roughly 90% of energy is dissipated as metabolic heat and respiration at each step.
- Step 3: Degraded heat energy cannot be re-used by producers, making energy flow strictly one-way.
Answer
Because energy lost as metabolic heat cannot be reused by green plants.
Why not the others: Primary consumers eat producers, not apex carnivores; decomposers recycle mineral nutrients rather than returning energy to the sun.
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