Using the image below of a marine food web, answer the following question: Which of the following correctly describes how the amount of energy changes as it flows through trophic levels?

Question

(1 point)
Responses

Energy increases as it is transferred from squid to leopard seals, since leopard seals are more massive than squid.
Energy increases as it is transferred from squid to leopard seals, since leopard seals are more massive than squid.
When leopard seals consume birds, about 10 percent of the birds' energy is transferred to the leopard seals.
When leopard seals consume birds, about 10 percent of the birds' energy is transferred to the leopard seals.
Energy decreases as it is transferred from krill to birds, since krill are producers and birds are primary consumers.
Energy decreases as it is transferred from krill to birds, since krill are producers and birds are primary consumers.
When fish consume the carnivorous plankton, about 90 percent of the plankton's energy is transferred to the fish.

Answer 1

The correct response among the options provided is:

"When leopard seals consume birds, about 10 percent of the birds' energy is transferred to the leopard seals."

This statement aligns with the general rule in ecology known as the 10% rule, which suggests that only about 10% of the energy from one trophic level is transferred to the next higher trophic level. The other options either misinterpret energy transfer or provide incorrect information regarding the roles of organisms within the trophic levels.