Question

How is energy lost in a food chain?

Answer 1

Energy can be lost in a multitude of ways in a food chain. 90% of energy is usually lost either in the form of heat, through movement while using energy, or materials that are not entirely consumed by the consumer.

Step-by-step explanation:

Only about 10% of energy is retained after a consumer eats a lower level on the food chain. Further explained, heat is released during respiration, which is essentially energy being lost.

Animals also have metabolism and growth, which require energy of their own. So, not all energy in a food chain can be retained for the animals to use.

Answer 2

90

Step-by-step explanation:

Not all the energy is passed from one level of the food chain to the next. About 90 per cent of energy may be lost as heat (released during respiration), through movement, or in materials that the consumer does not digest. The energy stored in undigested materials can be transferred to decomposers.