Question

Pyramid of energy is always upright indicating that

• A. Producers have the lowest energy conversion efficiency.
• B. Carnivorous have a better energy efficiency than herbivores.
• C. Energy conversion efficiency is same for all trophic levels.
• D. Herbivores have a better energy conversion efficiency than carnivores.

Answer 1

The correct option is D Herbivores have a better energy conversion efficiency than carnivores.

Pyramid of energy represents the amount of energy at each trophic level. In any ecosystem, flow of energy declines as it passes from lower to higher trophic level. Hence, pyramid of energy is always upright indicating that herbivores have a better energy conversion efficiency than carnivores. Each successive trophic level has less total energy. In this, the energy decreases from one trophic level to the next trophic level because energy is lost as metabolic heat during transfer of energy. When food energy passes from producers to herbivores to carnivores, only 10% of energy is transferred from one trophic level to another trophic level.

Thus, the correct answer is 'Herbivores have a better energy conversion efficiency than carnivores.'