Question
Which of the following correctly describes one of the paths through which energy flows in this ecosystem? A. Puffins receive energy from herring, herring receive energy from krill, and krill receive energy from phytoplankton. B. Phytoplankton receive energy from krill, krill receive energy from jellyfish,and jellyfish receive energy from sea turtles. C. Mussels receive energy from copepods, copepods receive energy from phytoplankton, and phytoplankton receive energy from krill. D. Lobsters receive energy from codfish, codfish receive energy from herring, and herring receive energy from krill.
Answer
4
(219 Votes)
Jessica
Professional · Tutor for 6 years
Answer
A
Explanation
To clarify how energy flows in an ecosystem, it moves from one living organism to another following the pattern of who eats whom. In the options provided:1. Puffins obtain energy from herring because puffins eat herring. Then, herrings obtain energy from the krill since herring feed on krill. Lastly, the krill obtain their energy from phytoplankton, as phytoplankton are the primary food source for krill. And so, statement [A] correctly describes a path of the energy flow in this ecosystem.2. Phytoplankton are not typically on the receiving end of energy from krill. Contrary to this, krill feed off from the phytoplankton which makes statement [B] incorrect.3. Similarly with the previous statement, in statement [C] phytoplankton do not receive energy from krill. Instead, they serve as the primary source of energy for the krill further debunking the correctness of statement [C].4. Lobsters do not eat codfish which refutes the description provided in statement [D]. Lobsters are largely scavengers and mainly feed off detritus much unlike the depiction in [D].In conclusion, only statement A accurately describes a path through which energy flows in the ecosystem indicated. It's thus the correct answer.