In the transfer of energy through food chains, what happens to the number of organisms as you move to higher levels?

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Prepare for the Virginia 7th Grade Science SOL Test. Incorporate flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with hints and detailed explanations. Ensure your success on the exam!

Multiple Choice

In the transfer of energy through food chains, what happens to the number of organisms as you move to higher levels?

Explanation:
Energy moves through a food chain from producers to top-level consumers, but most of the energy that organisms get is used for daily activities or lost as heat. Only a small fraction, roughly one tenth, is passed to the next trophic level. Because there is less energy available at each step, fewer organisms can be supported at higher levels. Producers have the most energy and number, primary consumers have fewer, and predators depend on those prey, so their numbers are even smaller. That’s why the number of organisms decreases as you move to higher levels.

Energy moves through a food chain from producers to top-level consumers, but most of the energy that organisms get is used for daily activities or lost as heat. Only a small fraction, roughly one tenth, is passed to the next trophic level. Because there is less energy available at each step, fewer organisms can be supported at higher levels. Producers have the most energy and number, primary consumers have fewer, and predators depend on those prey, so their numbers are even smaller. That’s why the number of organisms decreases as you move to higher levels.

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