only about 10% of that energy is transferred when a consumer eats what happens to the reminder of the enegry that foes not get transferred
The remaining 90% of energy that is not transferred to the consumer is lost in various forms. Some of the energy is lost as heat during respiration and digestion. This heat is used by the consumer to maintain body temperature and to perform other metabolic functions. Additionally, energy is lost through waste products like feces and urine.
In ecological terms, this untransferred energy is often referred to as "lost to the system." It is not available for consumption by higher trophic levels or for further transfer in the food chain. Instead, it is dissipated and recycled within the ecosystem or directly released into the environment.
When a consumer eats, only about 10% of the energy from the food is transferred through each trophic level. The remaining energy that is not transferred goes through several processes. Here are the step-by-step explanations:
1. Respiration: The first use of energy by the consumer is for its own metabolic processes, such as respiration. During respiration, the consumer converts the food's energy into heat energy, which is then released into the environment.
2. Movement and physical activity: Energy is also used by the consumer for physical activities such as movement, hunting, and foraging. Any movement the consumer makes requires energy, and a significant portion of the energy is used in this way.
3. Waste production: Some energy is lost through waste production. The consumer's body breaks down the food, extracting the nutrients it needs. However, some parts of the food, such as undigested materials, are eliminated as waste. This process also expends some energy.
4. Heat loss: As mentioned earlier, during metabolic processes like respiration, energy is converted into heat. This heat is continuously released into the environment as the consumer regulates its body temperature. It plays a crucial role in maintaining the metabolic activities and overall functioning of the organism.
5. Non-consumed parts: Not all parts of the food are consumed by the consumer. For instance, if an animal eats a plant, it might not consume the stems, leaves, or roots. These uneaten portions hold some energy, but since they are not consumed, they do not contribute to the energy transfer.
Overall, the remaining energy that is not transferred is lost as heat, used for physical activity, excreted as waste, or is present in uneaten portions of the food.
When a consumer eats, only about 10% of the energy from the consumed food is transferred to the next trophic level (such as when a herbivore eats plants or a carnivore eats other animals). The remaining energy that is not transferred can follow several pathways:
1. Energy used for metabolic processes: Some of the energy is used by the consumer's own body for essential processes like respiration, digestion, circulation, and maintaining body temperature. This energy is necessary for the individual's survival and is converted into heat during these metabolic activities.
2. Energy lost as heat: Most of the energy that is not used for metabolic processes is released as heat. This happens due to the inefficiency of converting and utilizing energy in biological systems. Heat is lost through various means such as radiation, conduction, and convection, ultimately transferring energy to the environment.
3. Energy lost in waste: The energy that is not absorbed or utilized by the consumer's body is excreted as waste. This includes undigested food, feces, and other metabolic waste products. Although energy is present in these waste materials, it is not available to be utilized by other organisms in the ecosystem.
It's important to note that this 10% energy transfer efficiency is a general rule of thumb and can vary depending on various factors such as the type of ecosystem, the trophic level, and the specific organisms involved.