Which statement explains why only about 10% of energy is transferred between trophic levels?

Which statement explains why only about 10% of energy is transferred between trophic levels?

• A. All energy is transferred to the next level.
• B. Energy is lost through respiration, heat loss, and waste.
• C. Producers capture all energy they receive.
• D. Only 10% of the energy is stored as biomass.

Answer: (B)

Understanding how energy moves through food chains shows why only a small fraction makes it to the next level. Organisms use energy for metabolism—running their cells, growing, moving, and maintaining body temperature. This energy is released as heat and some is lost in waste, so not all the energy available at one level becomes biomass for the next. That metabolism and waste loss is what limits transfer to about 10%. So saying energy is lost through respiration, heat loss, and waste directly explains why only a small portion passes on. The other ideas either ignore these losses or just restate the outcome without describing the process.

Understanding how energy moves through food chains shows why only a small fraction makes it to the next level. Organisms use energy for metabolism—running their cells, growing, moving, and maintaining body temperature. This energy is released as heat and some is lost in waste, so not all the energy available at one level becomes biomass for the next. That metabolism and waste loss is what limits transfer to about 10%. So saying energy is lost through respiration, heat loss, and waste directly explains why only a small portion passes on. The other ideas either ignore these losses or just restate the outcome without describing the process.