Only about 10% of the energy available at one trophic level passes on to the next. What happens to the remain…

Question

Only about 10% of the energy available at one trophic level passes on to the next. What happens to the remaining 90%?

Accepted Answer

## Model Answer The remaining 90% is lost as heat to the environment, and some is used in digestion and doing work by the organisms at that trophic level. *Source: Our Environment, Chapter 13, Section 13.1.1* --- ## Explanation The key phrase examiners look for is **"lost as heat to the environment"** plus mention of use in digestion/life processes. Avoid vague answers like "it is used up" — be specific that energy is dissipated as heat and used in metabolic activities, making it unavailable to the next level.

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