Which of the following is the best evidence that supports the rule that only 10% of energy is transferred from one organism to another?(1 point)

Question

Responses

Ten percent of organisms are fully consumed, while others contain some molecules that cannot be digested.
Ten percent of organisms are fully consumed, while others contain some molecules that cannot be digested.

Dead organisms and waste are broken down by decomposers and are recycled through the ecosystem.
Dead organisms and waste are broken down by decomposers and are recycled through the ecosystem.

There are fewer organisms at the top of the food chain because there is less energy available for life processes.
There are fewer organisms at the top of the food chain because there is less energy available for life processes.

Not all organisms at the lower trophic levels will be eaten and die.

Answer 1

The best evidence that supports the rule that only 10% of energy is transferred from one organism to another is:

There are fewer organisms at the top of the food chain because there is less energy available for life processes.

This statement directly aligns with the concept of energy transfer in an ecosystem, known as the 10% rule, which explains that as energy moves up through the trophic levels—from producers to primary consumers to secondary consumers and so on—only about 10% of the energy is passed on to the next level. The rest is lost through metabolic processes, heat, and waste, which results in fewer organisms being supported at higher trophic levels.