Question

Let's assume that of the total energy received by the plants only 2% is converted to useful energy now the direct consumers of plants are herbivores and herbivores are consumed by the carnivores, so the energy efficiency of the carnivores would be?

• A. 0.2
• B. 0.002
• C. 0.0002
• D. Cannot say

Answer 1

The correct option is C 0.0002

The plants use only 2% of the total energy received by them so their efficiency is .02, then the herbivores which feed on them will be able to use only 10% of the total useful energy of plants which is $.02\times \frac{1}{10}$ = .002 so, .002 is the efficiency of the herbivores and now carnivores which feed on them will be able to use the 10% of the total useful energy of the herbivores which is $.002\times \frac{1}{10}$ = .0002 so, .0002 is the efficiency of the carnivores.