The progressive loss of energy at each level in a food chain leads to

Biology

JAMB 2004

A. an increase in biomas at each successive level
B. a decrease in biomass at each successive level
C. an increase in the number of organism at each successive level
D. an increase in the total number of organisms at each successive level

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Correct Answer: Option B

Explanation

According to the 10% rule, only about 10% of the energy from one trophic level is transferred to the next. The remaining 90% is lost primarily as heat during respiration or through indigestible matter and waste. Because energy is required to build and maintain living tissue, the progressive loss of available energy limits the total biomass (the total mass of living organisms) that can be supported at higher levels. Consequently, there is significantly less biomass at the top of the food chain than at the bottom.

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