Question

Write the percentage of the energy of sunlight captured by green plants, to convert it into food energy. Explain the fate of this energy when green plants are eaten by primary consumers.

Hint:

Only about 1-2% of sunlight energy is captured by plants for photosynthesis, and when plants are eaten, about 10% of this energy is transferred to herbivores.

Answer 1

Plants use photosynthesis to convert a small fraction of sunlight energy, approximately 1-2%, into food. This energy is stored as glucose, starch, and other organic compounds.Herbivores, which are primary consumers, acquire this stored energy by eating plants. However, only about 10% of the plant's energy is transferred to the herbivore due to losses from heat, respiration, and excretion during consumption and digestion. The remainder supports metabolic functions, movement, and growth.Consequently, herbivores receive only a small portion of the solar energy initially captured by the plants.