units of energy from sunlight, and only 10%
of energy is transferred between trophic levels, how many energy units do the primary consumers receive?
Diagram of a food chain showing energy transfer from the sun to a producer, then to primary, secondary, and tertiary consumers.
(1 point)
Responses
10
units of energy
10 units of energy - no response given
90
units of energy
90 units of energy - no response given
1,000
units of energy
1 comma 000 units of energy - incorrect
100
units of energy
1 answer
In a food chain, if a plant captures 1,000 units of energy from sunlight and only 10% of that energy is transferred to the primary consumers, the primary consumers would receive:
\[ \text{Energy received by primary consumers} = \text{Energy captured by the plant} \times \text{Transfer efficiency} \] \[ \text{Energy received} = 1,000 , \text{units} \times 0.10 = 100 , \text{units of energy} \]
Therefore, the primary consumers receive 100 units of energy.
