Question

Explain how energy flow happens from producer to apex consumer in any food chain. (3 Marks)

Answer 1

The energy flow takes place via the food chain through different Trophic levels. The 10 percent law of energy flow states that when the energy is passed on from one trophic level to another, only 10 percent of the energy is passed on to the next trophic level. (1.5 Marks)

In an example of Grassland food chain, It starts from the grass who are the producers, this trophic level has the maximum energy. This is then consumed by primary consumers (grasshopper) and 10 percent of this energy is shed away. This repeats till we reach the apex consumer (an eagle or an owl) (1.5 Marks)