Question

environmetal science semester 1 exam review
energy pyramid
jaguars 0.1%
toucans 1%
secondary consumers
fruit flies 10%
primary consumers
bananas 100%
producers
decomposers
energy lost
light energy

1. if this system begins with 10,000 calories, how many will be available to:

a. the primary consumers? 1000
b. the secondary consumers? 100
c. the tertiary consumers? 10

1. where does the energy in the system go?

a. \lost\ as heat
b. consumers
c. decomposers

Explanation:

1a)

Step1: Identify energy transfer rule

In an energy pyramid, energy transfer between trophic levels is ~10% (90% lost as heat/metabolism). Producers (bananas) have 10,000 cal.

Step2: Calculate primary consumers' energy

Primary consumers get 10% of producers' energy: $10,000 \times 0.1 = 1000$ cal.

Step1: Use primary consumers' energy

Primary consumers have 1000 cal (from 1a).

Step2: Calculate secondary consumers' energy

Secondary consumers get 10% of primary consumers' energy: $1000 \times 0.1 = 100$ cal.

Step1: Use secondary consumers' energy

Secondary consumers have 100 cal (from 1b).

Step2: Calculate tertiary consumers' energy

Tertiary consumers get 10% of secondary consumers' energy: $100 \times 0.1 = 10$ cal.

Answer:

1000

1b)