Question

Which of the following best explains why ecosystems need a continual influx of new energy?

a.

Photosynthesis feeds herbivores, carnivores, and decomposers.


b.

As energy is recycled, a small amount is lost as heat.


c.

Energy flows through an ecosystem and cannot be recycled.


d.

Cellular respiration does not feed back into other processes.

Answer 1

c. Energy flows through an ecosystem and cannot be recycled.

Answer 2

The correct answer would be c. Energy flows through an ecosystem and cannot be recycled.

The flow of energy in any ecosystem is unidirectional that is, energy can not be recycled and is lost after certain period (through food chain) in an ecosystem .

According to the 10% law, only 10% of the energy present at any trophic level is transferred to the next trophic level and rest is lost as heat during the metabolic processes.

It is why no energy is left to transfer after 3-4 trophic levels and thus ecosystem needs the continual influx of new energy.

Usually, the sun is the ultimate source of the energy in any ecosystem.