Define 10 Law of Energy Transfer

Well, to get the fish, Jamal has to expend energy. He must catch, clean, prepare and cook the fish. Then, when the fish lands on his plate, he cuts it, chews it and begins to digest it. All of this happens before Jamal has used some of the energy trapped in the fish`s molecules to help his body strengthen. In the end, Jamal will only receive ten percent energy transfer from his fishmeal. What Jamal doesn`t realize is that whenever an energy source is obtained naturally, the 10% rule applies. The 10% rule means that when energy is transmitted from one trophic level to another in an ecosystem, only ten percent of the energy is transmitted. A trophic level is the position of an organism in a food chain or energy pyramid. A food chain is a linear demonstration of how organisms feed in an ecosystem. The difference between an energy pyramid and a food chain is that the food chain names certain organisms. It does not refer only to them as producers, what plants or consumer organisms that others eat to gain energy. Energy transfer in the food chain is limited; and therefore, the number of trophic levels in the food chain is limited. There is only 10% of the energy transfer from each trophic level below to the next/upper trophic level.

This law, known as the 10 Percent Energy Act, was proposed by Raymond Lindeman. Primary consumers do not get 100% of the energy transmission from factories/producers; Some of the solar energy is consumed by plants during the process of photosynthesis. Energy pyramids show the flow of energy. Energy flows from one level to another when an organism of the higher level consumes/eats an organism of the lower level. Different organisms occupy different positions in the food chain; depending on their food source and diet, and this is called trophic level. Producers are organisms that synthesize their own food. Producers lay the foundation for all food chains. Examples of producers are plants, algae and some species of bacteria.

Producers synthesize their own food through the process of photosynthesis; where sunlight is converted into chemical energy. The energy of sunlight is converted into carbon dioxide, glucose and water. The glucose produced during the photosynthesis reaction is therefore broken down to produce energy. Primary producers occupy the basal or lowest level of the energy pyramid. Food chains show a very similar pattern. A food chain is a linear demonstration of how organisms feed in an ecosystem. A food chain also follows the same pattern as an energy pyramid. Starting with a producer, then a herbivore, followed by an omnivore and then a carnivore. Only ten percent of the existing energy is transmitted to the next level or organism. The biggest difference between an energy pyramid and a food chain is that the food chain names certain organisms. It does not only designate them as producers, plants or consumers, as an organism that eats others to gain energy.

Think, for example, of Jamal and his fishing trip. Let`s say Jamal grabbed a bass during his trip. The bass didn`t know he was going to land on Jamal`s plate for dinner that day, so he ate, swam, and went about his normal routine. As he finished his routine, the bass was consuming energy. Thus, all the energy that the bass could have given Jamal is not transferred to him because part of it was used by the fish. All organisms need energy. They get energy from the food they consume. In addition, the most important way to obtain energy is predation. Energy is needed for the growth, development and maintenance of cells and tissues. In addition, all the processes that take place in a living system require energy.

In most ecosystems, the ultimate source of energy is the sun. Plants capture solar energy, carry out the process of photosynthesis; and therefore produce their food. Energy transfer involves infinite interactions and relationships. A food chain describes the transfer of energy in the form of food from one organism to another. The flow of energy through ecosystems takes place via a food web. A food web includes a number of food chains. However, a food chain illustrates the direct transfer of energy between living organisms. As most organisms feed on different things, a food web is therefore much more practical in its approach and gives a simplified view of energy transfer in an ecosystem.

The efficiency with which energy is transferred from one trophic level to another describes ecological efficiency. Now that you know all about energy pyramids and the 10% rule, it`s time to apply them to the ecosystem you live in. For this project, you will create a visual energy pyramid for a food chain in your local ecosystem. First, consider the environment you live in. Is it a desert, a deciduous forest, the tundra or somewhere else? Then, use reliable internet sources to learn more about a local food chain. Reliable sources include government websites, universities, encyclopedias, or scientific organizations. Once you`ve gotten to know the food chain, it`s time to create a visual representation of it in an energy pyramid. Be sure to include the relative percentage of energy at each level! To be sure your energy pyramid has everything it needs, check out the success criteria below. The 10% rule means that when energy is transmitted from one trophic level to another in an ecosystem, only ten percent of the energy is transmitted. An energy pyramid shows the feeding levels of organisms in an ecosystem and gives a visual representation of energy loss at each level. Energy pyramids begin with the sun as the source of all energy, followed by trophic levels: producers (plants), herbivores (herbivores), omnivores (plant and meat eaters), and finally carnivores (or carnivores). When you move from the sun through each trophic level, only ten percent of the energy is transported to the next level.

The day Jamal was scared came. The annual family fishing trip. Jamal loves his family, but he absolutely hates fishing! There is so much preparation. He must help his father secure the boat for the truck. Next, Jamal and his siblings must bring equipment, life jackets, waterproof goulash, fishing rods and bait. Then he has to get up very early in the morning, help load the car and go to the lake. All these preparations, all this energy, just to maybe, maybe, catch some fish. Then Jamal has to go home and help unload the car before helping his father clean, prepare and cook the fish. Jamal wants to spend as much time with his family as the next person, but fishing seems like an incredible waste of energy for him! In this activity, students explore a local food chain and create an energy pyramid for it. Students can create their energy pyramid using poster paper and pencils or markers, or they can use the Internet to create a digital energy pyramid in programs like Google Drawings or Powerpoint. To help students get started, remind them of reliable sources for Internet research, such as encyclopedias, universities, news outlets, or government sources.

An energy pyramid shows the feeding levels of organisms in an ecosystem and gives a visual representation of energy loss at each level. An energy pyramid shows exactly what we just discussed about the 10% rule. All energy pyramids begin with the sun as the source of all energy, followed by trophic levels: producers (plants) below, herbivores (herbivores) at the top level, then omnivores (who eat both plants and meat) and then carnivores (or carnivores) at the top.