Question

question 3 of 25
which statement describes how energy is conserved in an ecosystem?
a. about 10% of the energy moves to the next trophic level, and the remainder is used or released into the ecosystem.
b. about 90% of the energy moves to the next trophic level, and the remainder is released into the ecosystem.
c. all of the energy captured by producers is stored as matter and is available to the next trophic level.
d. all of the energy transferred to the tertiary trophic level is stored permanently in the bodies of those organisms.

Explanation:

In ecosystems, the 10 - percent rule applies. Producers capture energy, and when energy is transferred between trophic levels, only about 10% of the energy is passed on to the next level. The rest is used for metabolic processes or released as heat into the ecosystem.

Answer:

A. About 10% of the energy moves to the next trophic level, and the remainder is used or released into the ecosystem.