Question

Consider the following food chain:
Grass \( \rightarrow \) Grasshopper \( \rightarrow \) Frog \( \rightarrow \) Snake \( \rightarrow \) Eagle
If the amount of energy available at third trophic level is 50 kJ, the available energy at the producer level was:

• A. 0.5 kJ
• B. 5 kJ
• C. 500 kJ
• D. 5000 kJ

Hint:

Energy decreases at each trophic level of the food chain due to inefficiency in energy transfer.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

In an energy pyramid, only about 10% of energy is transferred to the next trophic level.
- If 50 kJ of energy is available at the third trophic level (the snake), the energy at the second trophic level (the frog) would be 500 kJ (10 times greater).
- The energy at the producer level (grass) is 10 times greater than the energy available at the second trophic level, which gives 5000 kJ. Thus, the correct answer is (D) 5000 kJ.