Question

Explain why there is a limited number of organisms in a food chain.​

Nature of Science: Use theories to explain natural phenomena- the concepts of energy flow explains the limited length of food chains.

Answer 1

Energy is the major factor that limits the length of food chains. It is lost as heat between each trophic level, resulting in a decrease in available energy at higher trophic levels.

Step-by-step explanation:

One major factor that limits the length of food chains is energy. Energy is lost as heat between each trophic level due to the second law of thermodynamics.

Thus, after a limited number of trophic energy transfers, the amount of energy remaining in the food chain may not be great enough to support viable populations at yet a higher trophic level.