Question

Using the ten percent rule, determine how many kilocalories of energy the tertiary consumer tuna will receive. Algae Shrimp Lantern Fish Tuna 135,000 Kcal (1 point) Responses 135 Kcal 135 Kcal 1,350 Kcal 1,350 Kcal 135,000 Kcal 135,000 Kcal 13,500 Kcal

Answer 1

To apply the ten percent rule, we need to understand how energy is transferred through the food chain. The ten percent rule states that when energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next, only about ten percent of the energy from the previous level is passed on.

Let’s calculate the energy available to the tuna from the algae:

1. **Algae (primary producer)**: 135,000 Kcal
2. **Shrimp (primary consumer)**: 10% of 135,000 Kcal = 13,500 Kcal
3. **Lantern Fish (secondary consumer)**: 10% of 13,500 Kcal = 1,350 Kcal
4. **Tuna (tertiary consumer)**: 10% of 1,350 Kcal = 135 Kcal

Therefore, the tuna will receive **135 Kcal** of energy from the food chain.