When comparing energy and chemicals in an ecosystem,
A)both chemicals and energy cycle over and over again.
B)chemicals cycle over and over again but energy flows through once.
C)both chemicals and energy flow through once.
D)energy cycles over and over again but chemicals flow through once.
E)neither cycle nor flow but both are simply present.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Energy flows through an ecosystem in a one-way direction, from the sun to producers to consumers and eventually lost as heat. Chemicals, on the other hand, cycle through various biotic and abiotic components of the ecosystem and are continuously reused. Thus, while energy flows through once, chemicals cycle over and over again.

When Comparing Energy and Chemicals in an Ecosystem