BIOWEB
nverdae@nvcc.edu
Emma Erdahl, Associate Professor of Biology
Northern Virginia Community College
Revised 8/23/00
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19. At each trophic level, organisms obtain energy from the subsequent level. Explain the three possible fates of the energy, i.e., what happens to the energy at each trophic level? 1) The organism uses the energy to meet its own energy needs. 2) The organism is consumed by another organism. That predator uses the energy tied up in the chemicals that compose the prey's body to meet its energy needs. 3) The organism gives off energy rich waste products and eventually dies. The wastes and the dead organism supply the energy needs of decomposers. Study the diagram associated with objectives 5 and 6 in the study guide. Note that there are three arrows going away from each component of the food chain except for the tertiary consumer and the decomposer. why are only two arrow going away from these two trophic levels? What does "R" stand for in the diagram? |
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