Question

If in a food chain $10000\text{kcal}$ of energy are consumed by the primary consumers, then how much approximate energy will be received by the tertiary consumers?

• A. $100\text{kcal}$
• B. $1000\text{kcal}$
• C. $10\text{kcal}$
• D. $10000\text{kcal}$

Answer 1

The correct option is A $100\text{kcal}$

As per the $10\%$ rule, only $10\%$ energy out of the total energy at a trophic level is received by the next trophic level.
So, secondary consumers will receive $10\%$ of the total $10000\text{kcal}$ energy, i.e., $1000\text{kcal}$. And, tertiary consumers will receive $10\%$ of the total $1000\text{kcal}$ energy received by the seconary consumers, i.e., $100\text{kcal}$.