Question

Identify the incorrect statement regarding the flow of energy between various components of the food chain.

• A. Each trophic level loss some energy as heat to the environment.
• B. The amount of energy available at each trophic level is 10% of previous trophic level.
• C. Energy flow is unidirectional.
• D. Green plants capture about 10% of the solar energy that falls on leaves.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

The correct answer is (D) : Green plants capture about 10% of the solar energy that falls on leaves.

Answer 2

The correct answer is: (D) Green plants capture about 10% of the solar energy that falls on leaves.

The flow of energy in an ecosystem follows the transfer of energy from one organism to another through various trophic levels. However, the statement in option (D) is incorrect regarding the efficiency of energy capture by green plants:

• Energy capture by green plants: Green plants, or producers, capture solar energy through the process of photosynthesis. However, the efficiency is much lower than 10%. In fact, green plants typically capture only about 1-2% of the solar energy that reaches their leaves. A significant amount of energy is reflected or absorbed by other components such as the atmosphere, clouds, and ground, rather than being used for photosynthesis.
• Energy transfer in food chains: As energy moves through the food chain, it is transferred from producers to herbivores (primary consumers) and then to carnivores (secondary and tertiary consumers). At each trophic level, only about 10% of the energy is transferred to the next level, while the remaining 90% is lost primarily as heat due to metabolic processes.

Thus, while about 10% of energy is typically transferred from one trophic level to the next in the food chain, it is incorrect to say that green plants capture 10% of the solar energy falling on their leaves. The actual capture is much lower, around 1-2%.