Question

According to the law of conservation of energy, energy can neither be created nor destroyed. If this is true, why is there less energy in the top of the energy pyramid than there is in the bottom of the energy pyramid?
A.
The extra energy in the bottom is slower to reach the top.
B.
Organisms in the top of the energy pyramid use up energy the fastest.
C.
The law of conservation of energy does not apply to ecosystems.
D.
Energy is lost between each trophic level as heat.

Answer 1

There is less energy in the top of the energy pyramid than there is in the bottom of the energy pyramid because no animal passes on the entire energy to the next level in the energy pyramid. Some of the energy is converted from chemical energy to thermal energy and released into the air. So, as the level on the energy pyramid rises, the energy becomes less.

Answer 2

Energy is lost between each trophic level as heat.