Which statement best describes what ultimately happens to the chemical energy that is not converted to new biomass in the process of energy transfer between trophic levels in an ecosystem?
A)It is undigested and winds up in the feces and is not passed on to higher trophic levels.
B)It is used by organisms to maintain their life processes through cellular respiration reactions.
C)Heat produced by cellular respiration is used by heterotrophs to thermoregulate.
D)It is dissipated into space as heat in accordance with 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 chemical energy not converted to biomass is ultimately dissipated as heat, in accordance with the second law of thermodynamics.

Which Statement Best Describes What Ultimately Happens to the Chemical