Question

In a food chain 90% of the energy is lost in the transfer at each trophic level, and only 10% passes as usable biological energy. What will happen if secondary consumers are removed from a food chain?
A) Energy transfer in the food chain would be completely stopped.
B) Energy transferred to the tertiary consumers would be increased by 40%.
C) Energy transfer to the subsequent trophic levels of the food chain will be disturbed.
D) Producers will transfer more energy to the subsequent trophic levels of the food chain.

Answer 1

The correct answer is option C) Energy transfer to the subsequent trophic levels of the food chain will be disturbed.

In an ecosystem, the food chain starts with the producers. The producers convert the light energy to chemical energy through the process of photosynthesis. The energy from the producers is transferred to the primary consumers. the energy from the primary consumers is transferred to the secondary consumers and the energy from the secondary consumers are transferred to the tertiary consumers.

In case, the secondary consumers are removed from the food chain, the tertiary consumers would not get their food, hence, they would be disturbed. Although the energy transferred to each level remains 10% only.

Answer 2

The answer it's C) Energy transfer to the subsequent trophic levels of the food chain will be disturbed.