Matter and Energy Unit Test

Question

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Question
In a food pyramid, there is typically less biomass at the top (i.e., there are very few individual tertiary consumers, whereas there are numerous individual producers). In three to five sentences, explain this phenomenon, citing evidence relating to energy flow and how plants support ecosystems.(4 points)

Short Answer Rubric (4 points)
Points Awarded Criteria
4
The answer is very clear.

The answer is fully supported by details.

There may be a few errors in grammar, usage, or mechanics. Errors do not interfere with meaning.

3
The answer is mostly clear.

The answer is supported by mostly relevant details.

There are a few errors in grammar, usage, or mechanics. Errors do not interfere with meaning.

2
The answer is somewhat clear.

Details are weak or not related.

There are some errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics. Errors interfere with meaning.

1
The answer is not clear.

There are few or no supporting details.

There are many errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics. Errors interfere with meaning.

0 The question is not answered.

Answer 1

In a food pyramid, there is typically less biomass at the top because energy is lost as it moves up the trophic levels. Producers, such as plants, capture sunlight and convert it into energy through photosynthesis, supporting the entire ecosystem. However, only a fraction of this energy is transferred to herbivores when they consume plants. As energy continues to move up the food chain to secondary and tertiary consumers, even more is lost through metabolic processes, movement, and heat production. This results in fewer individual tertiary consumers compared to producers, as there simply isn't enough energy to support a large population at the top of the pyramid.