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Question
The total amount of solar energy available to the producers in a particular ecosystem is 1,000,000 joules. Which of the following images best represent the pyramid of energy in that ecosystem?
(P = Producer, PC = Primary consumer, SC = Secondary consumer, TC = Tertiary consumers)
The total amount of solar energy available to the producers in a particular ecosystem is 1,000,000 joules. Which of the following images best represent the pyramid of energy in that ecosystem?
(P = Producer, PC = Primary consumer, SC = Secondary consumer, TC = Tertiary consumers)
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Solution
The correct option is A
Energy flow is the sequential process of movement of energy in an ecosystem through a series of organisms. As organisms of one trophic level feed on another organism of a lower trophic level, energy flows through a food chain in the ecosystem.
Sunlight is the ultimate source of energy for all ecosystems. It is trapped and utilised by the photosynthetic producers to prepare food. Producers convert only 1% of the available solar energy into organic matter/biomass that is available for the consumers, i.e, net primary productivity.
When primary consumers feed on the producers, they receive only 10% of the energy retained in the organic matter produced by the producers. Consequently, at each successive trophic level, only 10% of the energy retained at a lower trophic level is transferred to the next higher trophic level in a food chain.
This transfer of energy from the producers (at the base) to the tertiary consumers (at the apex) is represented by a pyramid of energy. The pyramid of energy is a graphic representation of the energy present in the various trophic levels.
The pyramid of energy is always upright because the amount of energy at a lower trophic level is always more than that at a higher trophic level.
In the given scenario, the total amount of solar energy = 1,000,000 J
The producers convert only 1% of the solar energy available to them into NPP.
Thus, the energy retained in the organic matter/biomass formed by producers = 1% of the available solar energy = (1/100) X 1,000,000 J = 10,000 J
According to the 10% law of energy transfer, only 10 % of energy is passed on from one trophic level to the next.
Thus, the energy available at the level of primary consumers = (10/100) X 10000 J = 1000 J
The energy available at the level of secondary consumers = (10/100) X 1000 J = 100 J
The energy available at the level of tertiary consumers = (10/100) X 100 J = 10 J
Thus the pyramid of energy would look like -
Energy flow is the sequential process of movement of energy in an ecosystem through a series of organisms. As organisms of one trophic level feed on another organism of a lower trophic level, energy flows through a food chain in the ecosystem.
Sunlight is the ultimate source of energy for all ecosystems. It is trapped and utilised by the photosynthetic producers to prepare food. Producers convert only 1% of the available solar energy into organic matter/biomass that is available for the consumers, i.e, net primary productivity.
When primary consumers feed on the producers, they receive only 10% of the energy retained in the organic matter produced by the producers. Consequently, at each successive trophic level, only 10% of the energy retained at a lower trophic level is transferred to the next higher trophic level in a food chain.
This transfer of energy from the producers (at the base) to the tertiary consumers (at the apex) is represented by a pyramid of energy. The pyramid of energy is a graphic representation of the energy present in the various trophic levels.
The pyramid of energy is always upright because the amount of energy at a lower trophic level is always more than that at a higher trophic level.
In the given scenario, the total amount of solar energy = 1,000,000 J
The producers convert only 1% of the solar energy available to them into NPP.
Thus, the energy retained in the organic matter/biomass formed by producers = 1% of the available solar energy = (1/100) X 1,000,000 J = 10,000 J
According to the 10% law of energy transfer, only 10 % of energy is passed on from one trophic level to the next.
Thus, the energy available at the level of primary consumers = (10/100) X 10000 J = 1000 J
The energy available at the level of secondary consumers = (10/100) X 1000 J = 100 J
The energy available at the level of tertiary consumers = (10/100) X 100 J = 10 J
Thus the pyramid of energy would look like -
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