Question

If phytoplankton produces 1000 Kcal of energy, then how much amount of energy will flow into tertiary consumers?
1 Kcal
10 Kcal
100 Kcal
1000 Kcal

Answer 1

Given: Phytoplankton produces 1000 Kcal of energy.

To find: We have to find the amount of energy will flow into tertiary consumers.

Solution:

Only 10% of energy produced in producer is passed to the consumer.

In marine ecosystem phytoplankton is primary producer and it produces 1000Kcal of energy.

Zooplankton is primary consumer it will get energy

$= 1000 \times \frac{10}{100} \\ = 100$

Zooplankton are consumed by small fishes which are secondary consumer and get energy

$= 100 \times \frac{10}{100} \\ = 10$

Small fishes are consumed by large fishes which are tertiary consumers and get energy

$10 \times \frac{10}{100} \\ = 1$

The amount of energy will flow into tertiary consumers is 1Kcal.