Question

The best arrangement of an energy system consisting of snakes, hawks, grassses, and mice is

• A. Grass → mice →hawk →snake
• B. Grass → mice →snake →hawk
• C. Snake →hawk →mice →grass
• D. Hawk →snake →mice →grass

Answer 1

The correct option is B Grass → mice →snake →hawk

The ultimate source of energy for all living organisms is solar radiation with the exception of deep ocean ecosystems. The available physical energy is converted into chemical energy by producers and enters the food chain. According to the 10% Law only 10% of energy available at any trophic level is transferred to the next trophic level and because of this reason trophic levels in a food chain are limited. In this given food chain grasses are the producers thus they occupy the first trophic level. Mice, being the primary consumers form the second trophic level followed by the snake which is the secondary consumer and at the end top consumer hawk which forms the fourth trophic level.