Which of the following best explains why there are fewer secondary consumers than producers?(1 point)

Question

Responses

More secondary consumers can absorb radiant energy from the sun.
More secondary consumers can absorb radiant energy from the sun.
Around 10% of the energy is transferred to support the next trophic level.
Around 10% of the energy is transferred to support the next trophic level.
Secondary consumers have less cell processes that need energy.
Secondary consumers have less cell processes that need energy.
Heat energy given off from producers kills off primary and secondary consumers.

Answer 1

The best explanation for why there are fewer secondary consumers than producers is:

Around 10% of the energy is transferred to support the next trophic level.

This concept is known as the "10% rule" in ecology, which states that when energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next, only about 10% of the energy is passed on, while the rest is lost through metabolic processes, heat, and other factors. Consequently, this results in fewer organisms at higher trophic levels, such as secondary consumers, compared to producers.