Question

check for understanding
use your understanding of energy flow in food webs to answer the questions
energy transfers which statements are true about energy transfers in ecosystems? select two.
a. producers use less energy from the sun than consumers.
b. the top - level consumers receive the least amount of original energy from the sun.
c. the original energy from the sun decreases with each transfer along food web.
d. most of the energy from the sun is consumed by organisms in a food web.
e. top - level consumers receive 100 percent of the energy from the s

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze each option based on energy flow in ecosystems:

• Option A: Producers (like plants) capture solar energy, and consumers depend on them. Producers use more solar energy than consumers, so A is false.
• Option B: Energy decreases by ~10% at each trophic level. Top - level consumers are at the highest trophic level, so they get the least original solar energy. This is true.
• Option C: In a food web, energy from the sun (captured by producers) decreases with each transfer (trophic level) due to energy loss (e.g., as heat, for metabolism). This is true.
• Option D: Most solar energy is reflected, not consumed by organisms. So D is false.
• Option E: Energy transfer is inefficient (only ~10% per level), so top - level consumers can't get 100% of solar energy. E is false.

Answer:

B. The top - level consumers receive the least amount of original energy from the sun.
C. The original energy from the sun decreases with each transfer along the food web.