Question
Why is there less biomass at the top of the energy pyramid?
A. Secondary and tertiary consumers have bigger ranges, so there are fewer of them because they each need a lot of space
B. Secondary and tertiary consumers live longer, so there are fewer of them because they reproduce more slowly
C. Secondary and tertiary consumers are larger, so there are fewer of them
D. Secondary and tertiary consumers have to consume a lot more food to support themselves, so there are fewer of them
A. Secondary and tertiary consumers have bigger ranges, so there are fewer of them because they each need a lot of space
B. Secondary and tertiary consumers live longer, so there are fewer of them because they reproduce more slowly
C. Secondary and tertiary consumers are larger, so there are fewer of them
D. Secondary and tertiary consumers have to consume a lot more food to support themselves, so there are fewer of them
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The correct answer is:
**D. Secondary and tertiary consumers have to consume a lot more food to support themselves, so there are fewer of them.**
In an energy pyramid, energy decreases as you move from producers (like plants) to primary consumers, and then to secondary and tertiary consumers. Each level of the pyramid receives less energy from the level below it due to energy losses at each trophic level (such as metabolic processes and heat). Consequently, fewer organisms can be supported at the higher trophic levels, as they require more energy to survive.
**D. Secondary and tertiary consumers have to consume a lot more food to support themselves, so there are fewer of them.**
In an energy pyramid, energy decreases as you move from producers (like plants) to primary consumers, and then to secondary and tertiary consumers. Each level of the pyramid receives less energy from the level below it due to energy losses at each trophic level (such as metabolic processes and heat). Consequently, fewer organisms can be supported at the higher trophic levels, as they require more energy to survive.