Final answer:
The net energy gain for a lion eating a wildebeest is the energy obtained from consumption minus the energy expended to hunt. With a gain of 25,000 kcal and an expenditure of 10,000 kcal, the lion's net energy gain is 15,000 kcal. so, option D is the correct answer.
Step-by-step explanation:
The net energy gain, also known as the energy profit the lion gets by eating a wildebeest, is calculated by subtracting the energy expended during hunting from the energy obtained through consumption. If a lion spends 10,000 kilocalories (kcal) to hunt and kill the wildebeest, but gains 25,000 kcal from eating it, the net energy gained is found by the following calculation:
Net Energy Gain = Energy Obtained - Energy Expended
Net Energy Gain = 25,000 kcal - 10,000 kcal = 15,000 kcal.
Therefore, the correct answer is D) 15,000 kcal.
The net energy (profit) gained by the lion by eating a wildebeest is 15,000 kcal.
The net energy (profit) gained by the lion by eating a wildebeest can be calculated by subtracting the energy spent on hunting and killing the wildebeest from the energy gained by eating it. In this case, the lion spends 10,000 kcal to hunt and kill the wildebeest, but gains 25,000 kcal by eating it. Therefore, the net energy gained is 25,000 kcal - 10,000 kcal = 15,000 kcal.