Energy Transfer in a Food Chain

Key Concepts

• Energy Source
  • Energy originates from the sun.
  • Producers like plants capture solar energy through photosynthesis.

Energy Flow in Producers

• Photosynthesis
  • The process by which plants harness solar energy.
• Energy Usage
  • Used for cellular respiration.
  • Lost as heat or waste.
  • Stored energy remains in the plant body.

Transfer to Consumers

• Primary Consumer Example: Caterpillar
  • Consumes the plant.
  • Receives only the stored energy from the plant.
  • Uses some energy for cellular respiration.
  • Loses energy as heat or waste.
  • Stores remaining energy in its body.

Energy Transfer Up the Food Chain

• When the caterpillar is eaten by a secondary consumer (another animal), only the stored energy in the caterpillar is transferred.
• Energy moves in one direction in the food chain.
• Only stored energy is available to the next level.

Summary

• Energy transfer in a food chain is a sequential process involving consumption and energy storage.
• Only a fraction of energy is passed on at each stage, primarily the stored energy.