Using the ten percent rule, determine how many kilocalories of energy the tertiary consumer tuna will receive.

Question

Algae Shrimp Lantern Fish Tuna
135,000 Kcal


(1 point)
Responses

13,500 Kcal
13,500 Kcal

135,000 Kcal
135,000 Kcal

1,350 Kcal
1,350 Kcal

135 Kcal

Answer 1

To apply the ten percent rule in an energy pyramid, each trophic level receives about 10% of the energy from the level below it.

Starting with the energy available at the base, which is 135,000 Kcal from the algae:

1. Energy passed to shrimp (primary consumers): $$135,000,\text{Kcal}\times 0.10=13,500,\text{Kcal}$$

2. Energy passed to lantern fish (secondary consumers): $$13,500,\text{Kcal}\times 0.10=1,350,\text{Kcal}$$

3. Energy passed to tuna (tertiary consumers): $$1,350,\text{Kcal}\times 0.10=135,\text{Kcal}$$

So, the amount of energy the tertiary consumer tuna will receive is 135 Kcal.

The correct response is 135 Kcal.