(a) Write the percentage of (i) solar energy captured by the autotrophs and (ii) energy transferred from autotrophs to the next level in a food chain.
(b) What are trophic levels? Why do different food chains in an ecosystem not have more than four to five trophic levels? Give reason.
(a) Write the percentage of (i) solar energy captured by the autotrophs and (ii) energy transferred from autotrophs to the next level in a food chain.
(b) What are trophic levels? Why do different food chains in an ecosystem not have more than four to five trophic levels? Give reason.
Official answer
(a) (i) 1% of solar energy is captured by the autotrophs.
(ii) 10% of energy is transferred from autotrophs to the next level in a food chain.
(b) Trophic levels are the levels of organisms in a food chain, with producers at the first level, followed by primary consumers, secondary consumers, and so on. Different food chains in an ecosystem do not have more than four to five trophic levels because there is a loss of energy at each trophic level, and only a small amount of energy is transferred to the next level.
Marking scheme
- 1.3 marks
Hint
Recall the concept of flow of energy in an ecosystem and the percentage of energy captured by autotrophs and transferred to the next level.
Quick oral answer
The flow of energy in a food chain is unidirectional, meaning that energy cannot be transferred back to the previous trophic level. This is why there is a loss of energy at each trophic level, and only a small amount of energy is transferred to the next level.
Common mistakes
- 1.thinking that energy is not lost at each trophic level
Analysis and explanation
The question requires the student to recall the concept of flow of energy in an ecosystem and the percentage of energy captured by autotrophs and transferred to the next level. The student should also be able to explain the concept of trophic levels and why different food chains in an ecosystem do not have more than four to five trophic levels.
Interesting facts
the flow of energy in an ecosystem is unidirectional, meaning that energy cannot be transferred back to the previous trophic level
Question details
Q33 of 39 questions
- Board
- CBSE
- Class
- Class 10
- Subject
- Science
- Year
- 2023
- Section
- Section Section C
- Marks
- 3
- Type
- Short Answer
- Chapter
- Our Environment
- Topic
- Flow of Energy in an Ecosystem
- Bloom's level
- Understanding
- Syllabus topic
- Ecosystem
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Frequently asked questions
How many marks does this question carry in CBSE Class 10 Science 2023?
This question carries 3 marks in the CBSE Class 10 Science 2023 examination.
Which chapter does this question come from in Science?
This question is from the chapter "Our Environment" in the CBSE Class 10 Science syllabus.
What topic does this question cover in Science?
This question covers the topic "Flow of Energy in an Ecosystem" from CBSE Class 10 Science.
What type of question is this in the CBSE Class 10 Science 2023 paper?
This is a Short Answer question from Section Section C in the CBSE Class 10 Science 2023 paper.