Question

A primary consumer has 650 kJ of energy. What would be the energy content of the primary producer and the tertiary consumer, respectively in the food chain?

• A. 6500 kJ and 65 kJ
• B. 6500 kJ and 6.5 kJ
• C. 650 kJ and 65 kJ
• D. 65 kJ and 6.5 kJ

Answer 1

The correct option is B 6500 kJ and 6.5 kJ

According to the 10% law of energy transfer, only 10% of energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next. If the primary consumer has 650 kJ of energy, then the energy content of the primary producer will be ten times more than the primary consumer. So, energy in the primary producer is 6500 kJ.

Again, from the primary consumer, only 10% of the energy is transferred to the secondary consumer. So, energy in the secondary consumer is 65 kJ. From the secondary consumer, only 10 percent of 65 kJ will be transferred to the tertiary consumer. Therefore, the energy content of the tertiary consumer will be 6.5 kJ.

Hence, the energy content of the primary producer and the tertiary consumer, respectively in the food chain will be 6500 kJ and 6.5 kJ.