Why is only about 10% of energy transferred from one trophic level to the next higher level in a food pyramid?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: D. Most energy is lost as heat through cellular respiration
- Step 1: The 10% rule in ecology: organisms use energy for life processes (cellular respiration, movement, homeostasis), releasing heat to the environment. Step 2. Much biomass is also inedible (roots, bones) or excreted as undigested faeces. Answer: Most energy is lost as heat through cellular respiration. Why not the others: This limits the length of food chains to 4 or 5 trophic levels.
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