Which of the following best depicts the flow of energy in an ecosystem?
(a) Energy is transferred from producers to consumers and is lost as heat at each trophic level.
(b) Energy is constantly recycled between organisms in the ecosystem.
(c) Energy flows in cycles, similar to matter in an ecosystem.
(d) Energy can be reused by plants after being released as heat by organisms.

Question

Which of the following best depicts the flow of energy in an ecosystem?
(a) Energy is transferred from producers to consumers and is lost as heat at each trophic level.
(b) Energy is constantly recycled between organisms in the ecosystem.
(c) Energy flows in cycles, similar to matter in an ecosystem.
(d) Energy can be reused by plants after being released as heat by organisms.

ONLiNE UPSC · Accepted Answer

Energy flow is unidirectional because, at each trophic level (e.g., from producers to consumers), energy is transferred and some of it is released as heat, which dissipates into the environment. This energy cannot be reused by plants or other organisms.

Ecology

Energy flow in ecosystems

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E Question 1	⏱ 0
Which of the following best depicts the flow of energy in an ecosystem? (a) Energy is transferred from producers to consumers and is lost as heat at each trophic level. (b) Energy is constantly recycled between organisms in the ecosystem. (c) Energy flows in cycles, similar to matter in an ecosystem. (d) Energy can be reused by plants after being released as heat by organisms.