Podcast
Questions and Answers
When a consumer eats a producer, what happens to the other 90 percent of the producer's energy?
When a consumer eats a producer, what happens to the other 90 percent of the producer's energy?
It is used for cell processes or released as heat.
Why is there less biomass at the top of the energy pyramid?
Why is there less biomass at the top of the energy pyramid?
Secondary and tertiary consumers have to consume a lot more food to support themselves, so there are fewer of them.
Using the ten percent rule, how many kilocalories of energy will the tertiary consumer tuna receive?
Using the ten percent rule, how many kilocalories of energy will the tertiary consumer tuna receive?
135 Kcal
Which species would be classified as an invasive species: Kudzu or another species?
Which species would be classified as an invasive species: Kudzu or another species?
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What is the efficiency of energy transfer between the harbor seal (2,500 Kcal) and a polar bear (375 Kcal)?
What is the efficiency of energy transfer between the harbor seal (2,500 Kcal) and a polar bear (375 Kcal)?
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Study Notes
Ten Percent Rule Overview
- The Ten Percent Rule indicates that when a consumer feeds on a producer, only 10 percent of the producer's energy moves to the consumer's trophic level.
- The remaining 90 percent of energy is utilized for cellular processes or dissipated as heat.
Energy Pyramid and Biomass
- Biomass is reduced at higher trophic levels due to the increased energy requirements of secondary and tertiary consumers.
- Higher-level consumers must consume significantly more food to meet their energy needs, leading to a smaller population at these levels.
Energy Transfer Calculation
- Tertiary consumers, such as tuna, receive an estimated energy input of 135 kilocalories according to the Ten Percent Rule.
Invasive Species Analysis
- Kudzu, introduced from Japan, exemplifies an invasive species, initially introduced for soil erosion control, but it grows aggressively, threatening native flora by smothering them and endangering trees.
Efficiency of Energy Transfer
- The efficiency of energy transfer between a harbor seal (with 2,500 kilocalories) and a polar bear (with 375 kilocalories) is calculated to be 15%, highlighting energy loss in trophic levels.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the Ten Percent Rule in ecosystems with this quick flashcard quiz. Explore the concepts of energy transfer, biomass distribution, and trophic levels. Perfect for students studying ecology or environmental science.
