Question

The relationship between the amount of energy available for use and the amount of entropy in a food chain differs between trophic levels. why would the amount of entropy increase from one trophic level to another in a food chain or energy pyramid? a. the available energy from one trophic level to another increases b. energy is lost at each level as heat, which increases randomization c. the amount of biomass decreases from one trophic level to another d. the available energy at each level may either increase or decrease, creating randomization please select the best answer from the choices provided a b c d

Answer 1

Entropy increases at higher trophic levels because energy is lost as heat due to the second law of thermodynamics, leading to increased randomness within the system.

Step-by-step explanation:

The amount of entropy increases from one trophic level to another in a food chain or energy pyramid because energy is lost at each level primarily as heat, which increases randomization. This loss of energy is due to the second law of thermodynamics that dictates that energy transformations are not completely efficient and lead to increased entropy in the system. Thus, the best answer to the question is 'b. energy is lost at each level as heat, which increases randomization'.