Why is each level of the energy pyramid smaller than the level directly below it?(1 point)

Question

Responses

Because about 10% of the energy is converted to heat when organisms become ill and another 10% when they die.
Because about 10% of the energy is converted to heat when organisms become ill and another 10% when they die.

Because 90% of the energy is passed on to the next level to be used by the organisms there.
Because 90% of the energy is passed on to the next level to be used by the organisms there.

Because 10% of the energy at each level moves to the next level and some additional energy is converted to heat.
Because 10% of the energy at each level moves to the next level and some additional energy is converted to heat.

Because the sizes of each level show that 10% is consumed by organisms at that level.

Answer 1

The correct response is:

Because 10% of the energy at each level moves to the next level and some additional energy is converted to heat.

In an energy pyramid, each level represents a different trophic level in an ecosystem, and energy decreases as you move up through these levels. Typically, only about 10% of the energy from one level is transferred to the next level, while the rest is lost primarily through metabolic processes and as heat. This is why each level of the energy pyramid is smaller than the level directly below it.