Why is each level of the energy

Question

pyramid smaller than the level
directly below it?

Because 10% of the energy at
each level moves to the next
level and some additional
energy is converted to heat.

Because the sizes of each level
show that 10% is consumed by
organisms at that level.

Because 90% of the energy is
passed on to the next level to
be used by the organisms
there.

Because about 10% of the
energy is converted to heat
)when organisms become ill
and another 10% when they
die.

Answer 1

The correct explanation for why each level of the energy pyramid is smaller than the level directly below it is:

Because 10% of the energy at each level moves to the next level and some additional energy is converted to heat.

In ecological terms, this is known as the "10% rule," where only about 10% of the energy from one trophic level is transferred to the next level. The rest is lost primarily through metabolic processes and is often dissipated as heat. This is why energy pyramids are typically narrower at higher trophic levels, reflecting the energy available to support fewer organisms.