Question

What happens to the amount of available energy in the pyramid as it moves up through the different levels? A) It increases. B) It decreases. C) It remains the same. D) It decreases, then increases. Elimin

Answer 1

The correct option is B) It decreases

Step-by-step explanation:

As we move up the trophic levels in an energy pyramid, the energy which is passed from one trophic level to other decreases. Only 10% of the energy is known to pass from one trophic level to another. Most of the energy is lost as heat or used by the organism.

For example, suppose a plant has 100 calories in it. It will pass only 10 calories to the animal ( primary consumer) which eats it. The primary consumer will only pass 1% energy to the secondary consumer which eats it. Hence, we see that to the amount of available energy decreases as we move up the trophic levels.