the diagram shows an energy pyramid. if the plankton contain 100,000 kcal of energy, about how much energy…

the diagram shows an energy pyramid. if the plankton contain 100,000 kcal of energy, about how much energy will the manta ray obtain from eating the starfish? 10 kcal 100 kcal 1,000 kcal 10,000 kcal

the diagram shows an energy pyramid. if the plankton contain 100,000 kcal of energy, about how much energy will the manta ray obtain from eating the starfish? 10 kcal 100 kcal 1,000 kcal 10,000 kcal

Answer

Explanation:

Step1: Recall energy - transfer rule

In an energy pyramid, about 10% of the energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next.

Step2: Determine number of trophic - level transfers

Plankton are producers. Starfish are secondary consumers (2 levels above producers). Manta rays are tertiary consumers (3 levels above producers). From plankton to starfish is 2 trophic - level transfers, and from starfish to manta ray is 1 more transfer.

Step3: Calculate energy at starfish level

If plankton (producers) have 100,000 kcal of energy, at the primary - consumer level, the energy is $100000\times0.1 = 10000$ kcal. At the secondary - consumer (starfish) level, the energy is $10000\times0.1=1000$ kcal.

Step4: Calculate energy manta ray gets from starfish

When the manta ray (tertiary consumer) eats the starfish, it gets 10% of the starfish's energy. So the energy the manta ray gets is $1000\times0.1 = 100$ kcal.

Answer:

100 kcal