1. Briefly explain why energy is LOST between trophic levels. (3 points)
Energy is lost between trophic levels due to several factors.
1) Inefficiency of energy transfer: As energy moves up the food chain, only a small fraction of the energy from one trophic level is transferred to the next level. This is because organisms at each trophic level use a significant amount of energy for their own metabolism, growth, and reproduction. For example, plants capture sunlight and convert it into chemical energy through photosynthesis. However, only a fraction of this energy is consumed and assimilated by herbivores.
2) Heat loss: Energy is also lost as heat through metabolic processes. When organisms consume food, some of the energy obtained is used to carry out essential life functions, such as respiration, cellular activities, and maintaining body temperature. This energy is ultimately released as heat into the environment, which cannot be utilized by higher trophic levels.
3) Limited availability of nutrients: As energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next, some energy is also lost through the excretion of waste products. Nutrients not used by organisms at one level become waste products that are excreted or decomposed. These nutrients are then lost from the food chain and are not available for higher trophic levels to use as energy.
Overall, these factors contribute to the loss of energy between trophic levels, resulting in a decrease in available energy for higher trophic levels.