B2.5: Energy Flow Through The Food Chain

Question 1

How does energy enter food chains?

Answer 1

When plants capture sunlight energy. All other organisms rely on the plants.

Question 2

What does energy leave as in the food chain?

Answer 2

Heat or waste material (some energy leaves at each stage)

Question 3

How is energy transferred out of the food chain?

Answer 3

• not all food is digested. Passes straight through the body undigested and comes out in droppings. Called egestion
• every organism uses energy for respiration, releases energy for movement and heat
• energy lost by excretion

Question 4

The shorter the food chain, the…..

Answer 4

Less energy is transferred out

Question 5

How to calculate efficiency of energy transfer

Answer 5

Efficiency: energy built into organism/ energy available x 100

Question 6

How can energy be kept in the food chain?

Answer 6

• less energy is transferred if they use less heat to keep themselves warm.
• reducing movement
• destroy weeds and pests that reduces the energy within a plant