Less energy is available at the next trophic level because
A)all the food is captured and eaten before it can reach the next trophic level.
B)all of the food eaten is digested and absorbed.
C)only a portion of the food that is digested can be used to make ATP.
D)all of the absorbed food molecules are used as an energy source for ATP buildup in mitochondria.
E)all of the food is absorbed,but not all can be used to make ATP.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Only a portion of the energy available in the food can be passed on to the next trophic level due to inefficiencies in digestion, absorption, and metabolism. This is known as the 10% rule, where approximately 10% of the energy available in one trophic level is passed on to the next trophic level. The remaining energy is lost as heat, used for metabolic processes, or eliminated as waste. Therefore, less energy is available at the next trophic level because only a portion of the energy available in the food can be used to make ATP.

Less Energy Is Available at the Next Trophic Level Because