Question

explain the process by which energy is passed down the food chain below? grass → grasshopper → mouse → owl

Explanation:

1. Grass (Producer): Grass, as a plant (producer), uses photosynthesis to convert solar energy into chemical energy stored in organic molecules (like glucose). This is the initial energy capture in the food chain.
2. Grasshopper (Primary Consumer): The grasshopper (herbivore, primary consumer) eats the grass. It digests and absorbs some of the grass’s stored energy, using it for its own life processes (e.g., movement, growth). Most energy is lost as heat, and only ~10% of the grass’s energy is transferred to the grasshopper.
3. Mouse (Secondary Consumer): The mouse (carnivore/omnivore, secondary consumer) eats the grasshopper. It absorbs a portion of the grasshopper’s energy (again, ~10% of the grasshopper’s available energy) for its metabolism and growth, with most energy lost as heat.
4. Owl (Tertiary Consumer): The owl (carnivore, tertiary consumer) eats the mouse. It gains ~10% of the mouse’s available energy, using it for survival, reproduction, etc., while most energy is lost as heat at each trophic level.

Answer:

Energy flows through the food chain (Grass → Grasshopper → Mouse → Owl) as follows:

• Grass (producer) captures solar energy via photosynthesis, storing it in organic compounds.
• Grasshopper (primary consumer) eats grass, absorbing ~10% of its energy (most lost as heat) for growth/metabolism.
• Mouse (secondary consumer) eats the grasshopper, absorbing ~10% of its energy (most lost as heat).
• Owl (tertiary consumer) eats the mouse, absorbing ~10% of its energy (most lost as heat).

This follows the 10% energy transfer rule (trophic efficiency), with energy lost as heat at each level due to cellular respiration.