Using the ten percent rule, determine how many kilocalories of energy the tertiary consumer tuna will receive.

Question

Algae Shrimp Lantern Fish Tuna
135,000 Kcal


(1 point)
Responses

1,350 Kcal
1,350 Kcal

13,500 Kcal
13,500 Kcal

135,000 Kcal
135,000 Kcal

135 Kcal

Answer 1

The ten percent rule in ecology suggests that only about 10% of the energy from one trophic level is transferred to the next level.

1. Start with the energy from the producers (algae): 135,000 Kcal
2. The primary consumers (shrimp) receive 10% of the energy from the producers: \[ 135,000 \text{ Kcal} \times 0.10 = 13,500 \text{ Kcal} \]
3. The secondary consumers (lantern fish) receive 10% of the energy from the primary consumers: \[ 13,500 \text{ Kcal} \times 0.10 = 1,350 \text{ Kcal} \]
4. The tertiary consumers (tuna) receive 10% of the energy from the secondary consumers: \[ 1,350 \text{ Kcal} \times 0.10 = 135 \text{ Kcal} \]

So, the tertiary consumer tuna will receive 135 Kcal of energy.

The correct response is: 135 Kcal.