Energy:
A) recycles continuously through an ecosystem.
B) is used over and over again.
C) flows in only one direction through an ecosystem.
D) tends to be concentrated by living organisms.
E) is efficiently transferred between trophic levels.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Energy flows through an ecosystem in only one direction, starting with the sun or other energy input and being transferred through the food chain as organisms consume each other. Energy cannot be recycled or reused, and it tends to dissipate and become less concentrated as it moves through an ecosystem. While there is some transfer of energy between trophic levels, it is not always efficient and some energy is lost as heat or used for metabolic processes. Living organisms do not concentrate energy but rather transform it into usable forms through photosynthesis or cellular respiration.