QuestionMay 27, 2025

5. What happens to energy as it moves up the food chain?Why?

5. What happens to energy as it moves up the food chain?Why?
5. What happens to energy as it moves up the food chain?Why?

Solution
4.2(201 votes)

Answer

Energy decreases as it moves up the food chain due to energy loss at each trophic level. Explanation 1. Understand Energy Transfer As energy moves up the food chain, it decreases because only a portion of energy is transferred to the next trophic level. 2. Apply the 10% Rule **Only about 10%** of the energy from one trophic level is passed to the next; the rest is lost as heat or used for metabolic processes. 3. Explain Energy Loss Energy is lost at each step due to respiration, movement, and maintaining body temperature.

Explanation

1. Understand Energy Transfer<br /> As energy moves up the food chain, it decreases because only a portion of energy is transferred to the next trophic level.<br /><br />2. Apply the 10% Rule<br /> **Only about 10%** of the energy from one trophic level is passed to the next; the rest is lost as heat or used for metabolic processes.<br /><br />3. Explain Energy Loss<br /> Energy is lost at each step due to respiration, movement, and maintaining body temperature.
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