Question

Autotrophic species produce 400,000 kJ of energy in a tropical food web. The amount of energy at the level of secondary consumers is:

• A. 40 KJ
• B. 400 KJ
• C. 4000 KJ
• D. 40,000 KJ
• E. 4000,000 KJ

Answer 1

The correct option is C 4000 KJ

Energy transfer along each trophic level of a food chain exhibit loss of 90% energy as heat and transfer of only 10% energy to the next trophic level. The energy is lost in metabolic activities. According to this, out of 400,000kJ energy of primary producers, 40000kJ will be transferred to primary consumers and 4000kJ will be transferred to the secondary consumer. Tertiary consumers will obtain only 400kJ energy from secondary consumers while top consumers will obtain as little as 40kJ energy. Correct answer is option C.