Final answer:
The second trophic level in a food chain will receive approximately 10 percent of the energy available at the first level, so from 2,500 kcal at the start, 250 kcal is converted at the second trophic level.Option C is the correct answer.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks how much energy is converted at the second trophic level in a food chain given that the total energy at the beginning is 2,500 kcal. Considering the principle that only about 10 percent of the energy at one level is available to the next level, we can calculate the energy available at the second trophic level by taking 10 percent of the energy from the first level. Therefore, the energy at the second trophic level would be 10 percent of 2,500 kcal, which is 250 kcal.
In a food chain, energy transfer between trophic levels follows the 10 percent rule, meaning that approximately 10 percent of the energy is passed on to the next trophic level. Given an initial energy input of 2,500 kcal at the first trophic level, we can calculate the energy available at the second trophic level by applying this rule. Taking 10 percent of the energy from the first level results in 250 kcal at the second trophic level. This reduction in energy availability is attributed to metabolic processes, heat loss, and other inefficiencies within the ecosystem. Understanding the energy flow through trophic levels is crucial for assessing ecosystem dynamics and the sustainability of food chains.