Energy flow is one-way because ____.
A) all of the energy in an ecosystem stays constant
B) the amount of energy a producer harvests is equal to the amount of energy consumers consume
C) with each energy transfer, some energy escapes as heat
D) energy cannot be created but it can be destroyed
E) there is only one form of energy

Question

​Energy flow is one-way because ____.
A) all of the energy in an ecosystem stays constant​
B) ​the amount of energy a producer harvests is equal to the amount of energy consumers consume
C) ​with each energy transfer, some energy escapes as heat
D) ​energy cannot be created but it can be destroyed
E) ​there is only one form of energy

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Energy flow is considered one-way primarily because at each trophic level in an ecosystem, when energy is transferred from one level to the next, some of it is inevitably lost as heat due to the second law of thermodynamics. This loss of energy as heat means that not all the energy that enters a trophic level is passed on to the next, making the flow of energy unidirectional from the sun through producers and various levels of consumers, with energy being dissipated into the environment at each step.

​Energy Flow Is One-Way Because ____

Energy Flow Is One-Way Because ____