alleryStart learning →After a limited number of trophic energy transfers, the energy remaining may not be enough to:
ASupport a higher level
BWarm the local water
CDrive any photosynthesis
DComplete a carbon cycle
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: A. Support a higher level
1. Energy is lost at every step of a food chain.
2. Each transfer between trophic levels passes on only part of the energy.
3. After a limited number of trophic energy transfers, the amount of energy remaining may not be great enough.
4. It may not support viable populations at yet a higher trophic level.
5. That is why food chains have a limited number of links.
_Source: OpenStax Biology 2e (CC BY 4.0), Ch 46 'Ecosystems', sections 46.1-46.3_
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