Question

use the energy pyramid below to answer the following question. which statement describes the relationship between the law of conservation of energy and the energy pyramid shown? the available energy in an energy pyramid increases going down through trophic levels as more organism become more available. the 90% of energy not transferred in an energy pyramid is returned to the ecosystem in the form of heat energy. the population of autotrophs in an energy pyramid receives 10% of the energy it needs to survive from the sun. the tertiary consumers of an energy pyramid have a significantly larger population than the population of producers.

Explanation:

The law of conservation of energy states that energy is neither created nor destroyed. In an energy pyramid, about 10% of energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next, and the remaining 90% is lost as heat energy back into the ecosystem. This adheres to the conservation of energy principle. The first option is incorrect as available energy decreases going up trophic levels. Autotrophs (producers) receive a large amount of energy from the sun, not just 10% for survival. Tertiary consumers have a much smaller population than producers.

Answer:

The 90% of energy not transferred in an energy pyramid is returned to the ecosystem in the form of heat energy.