Question

Energy transfer from one trophic level to another, in a food chain, is

• A. 0.05
• B. 0.1
• C. 0.15
• D. 20%.

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

0.1

Answer 2

Energy flow in an ecosystem is always unidirectional. Only 10% of the gross productivity of producers is trapped by herbivores for their bodybuilding.

• Herbivores are eaten by carnivores.
• 10% of the herbivore productivity only is used for raising the productivity of primary carnivores.
• The rest is consumed in ingestion, respiration, maintenance of body heat and other activities.
• Higher carnivores similarly are able to retain only 10% of the energy present in primary carnivores.

This is called the 10% law. It was given by Lindemahn in 1942. The percentage of transfer of energy from one trophic level to another trophic level is 10% or 0.1.

Hence, the correct option is B) 0.1.