Question

What happens to the amount of energy as it moves up through an energy pyramid?

A. Some of the energy is lost.
B. Organisms double their energy as they move up the pyramid
C. Energy is transferred from the top to the bottom
D. The energy levels stay the same

Answer 1

Answer: some energy is lost from the pyramid, energy is transferred from bottom (producers) to top, but in decreasing amounts.

Explanation: total energy is conserved, but not necessarily within the energy pyramid, which is an open system where energy is lost from the pyramid, mainly as heat but also as sound.

Energy is transferred up the pyramid but the amount transferred at each stage is less because of losses outside the pyramid.