Question

Only a small portion of chemical energy in an apple is transferred to an organism that eats it. What happens to the majority of the chemical energy stored in the apple when another organism eats it?

• A. The majority of the energy is spontaneously lost to the surroundings.
• B. The majority of the energy is used to do some kind of cellular work in the apple.
• C. The majority of the energy is lost as heat energy to the surrounding environment.
• D. The majority of the energy is destroyed or recycled.

Answer 1

The correct option is B The majority of the energy is used to do some kind of cellular work in the apple.

The transfer of energy from one trophic level to another follows the 10% law of energy transfer. So, the total energy created only 10% is passed on from the producers to the consumers while rest is used by the producer to carry out its activities. When green plants are eaten by primary consumers, a great deal of energy is lost as heat to the environment, some amount goes into digestion and in doing work and the rest goes towards growth and reproduction.

So, the correct answer is 'The majority of the energy is used to do some kind of cellular work in the apple'.