Some chemical energy is not converted to new biomass as energy is transferred between trophic levels.Which of the following best describes the fate of the unconverted energy?
A)It is all undigested and excreted as feces,so it is not passed on to higher trophic levels.
B)It is only used by organisms to maintain essential processes like cellular respiration.
C)It is converted during cellular respiration to heat helping the heterotroph to stay warm.
D)It is eliminated as feces or released as heat to satisfy the second law of thermodynamics.
E)It is recycled by decomposers to a form that is once again usable by primary producers.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The unconverted chemical energy is eliminated as feces or released as heat to satisfy the second law of thermodynamics. This law states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, but rather can only be converted from one form to another or transferred from one system to another. Therefore, the unconverted energy is released as heat during cellular respiration and is eventually lost to the environment.

Some Chemical Energy Is Not Converted to New Biomass as Energy