Multiple Choice
The main decomposers in an ecosystem are __________.
52. Ecosystems
Introduction to Ecosystems
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Based on the law of conservation of energy, ecosystem ecologists can make which of the following assertions?
A
Photosynthetic organisms can convert approximately 1% of the solar energy they receive into organic molecules.
B
Approximately 10% of energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next.
C
Elements are not lost on a global scale.
D
All of the listed responses are correct.
E
The total amount of energy stored in organic molecules plus the amounts reflected and dissipated as heat must equal the total solar energy intercepted by the Earth.
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand the law of conservation of energy, which states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed from one form to another.
Recognize that in an ecosystem, energy enters primarily through sunlight, which is captured by photosynthetic organisms (producers) and converted into chemical energy in organic molecules.
Acknowledge that not all solar energy is converted into organic molecules; a significant portion is reflected back into space or dissipated as heat.
Consider the energy transfer between trophic levels, where typically only about 10% of the energy is passed on to the next level, with the rest lost as heat due to metabolic processes.
Conclude that the total energy in an ecosystem, including energy stored in organic molecules and energy lost as heat, must equal the total solar energy intercepted by the Earth, in accordance with the law of conservation of energy.
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