Question

How does the loss of energy at each trophic level affect the number of organisms at the top levels?

Answer options:
a) Increases the number of organisms
b) Decreases the number of organisms
c) Has no impact on the number of organisms
d) Causes a redistribution of organisms at the top levels

Answer 1

The loss of energy at each trophic level decreases the number of organisms at the top levels.

Step-by-step explanation:

The loss of energy at each trophic level has an effect on the number of organisms at the top levels. As energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next, there is a decrease in the amount of available energy. Only about 10 percent of the energy is passed on to the next trophic level, while the rest is used for metabolism, growth, and repair, or lost as heat or waste.

This decrease in available energy limits the number of organisms that can be supported at higher trophic levels. Although individual organisms at higher trophic levels tend to be larger in size, their smaller numbers result in less biomass. Therefore, the correct answer is b) Decreases the number of organisms.