Question

Use the model here to describe the transfer of matter and flow of energy from one trophic level to another within an ecosystem. All of the following must be addressed in your response to receive full credit:
a. Discuss the transfer of biomass when one organism eats another. Use your knowledge of digestion to discuss how food is broken down and used by the consumer.
b. Explain what happens to the energy that is not transferred from one organism to another.
c. Explain why there are typically fewer organisms at the top of an energy pyramid.
d. Use specific numbers and calculations to support your explanation.

Answer 1

Answer:

A)Biomass is transferred from one organism to another when one organism consumes another organism. When a predator organism eats the prey organism, the molecules on the food are broken down by the digestive system into smaller molecules. These smaller molecules like lipids, amino acids, glucose are used by the organism for various purposes.

B) Energy that is not transferred from one organism to another is either used up by the organism for various purposes. Most of the energy is lost into the environment in the form of heat.

c) There are typically fewer organisms at the top of the trophic levels because energy keeps on declining at each trophic levels so the number of consumers which it can satisfy also decreases.

d) Only 10% of the energy passes from one trophic level to another. The rest is usually lost in the form of heat. For example, if there was 100%  energy in the producers, only 10% would pass to the primary consumers. The secondary consumers will receive 1%.