Question

Question

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

More secondary consumers can absorb radiant energy from the sun.
More secondary consumers can absorb radiant energy from the sun.

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.
Heat energy given off from producers kills off primary and secondary consumers.

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.
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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 statement reflects the concept of energy transfer efficiency in an ecological pyramid, where typically, only about 10% of the energy from one trophic level is passed on to the next level. As a result, there are fewer secondary consumers than producers because energy diminishes at each successive level, leading to fewer organisms being able to be supported as you move up the trophic levels.