Question

Write the percentage of the energy of sunlight captured by green plants to convert it into food energy. Explain the fate of this energy when green plants are eaten by primary consumers.

Answer 1

Green plants capture about 1% of the energy from sunlight through the process of photosynthesis and convert it into chemical energy in the form of food.

The fate of this energy when green plants are eaten by primary consumers:

1. Transfer to primary consumers (Herbivores): Only 10% of the energy stored in plants is transferred to primary consumers. This is due to the 10% law of energy transfer (proposed by Lindeman), which states that only 10% of the energy from one trophic level is passed on to the next.

2. Energy lost as heat: A large portion of the energy is lost as heat into the environment during metabolic activities like respiration.

3. Energy used for life processes: Some energy is used by herbivores for growth, movement, reproduction, and other biological functions.

4. Energy lost in waste: Some energy is lost in the form of undigested food and excretion.