Question

What percent of assimilated energy is used in respiration by the herbivores?
A. 20%
B. 30%
C. 40%
D. 60%

Answer 1

Hint: The efficiency of animals that convert the ingested food to the energy required for reproduction and growth is called assimilated energy. The nutrients of the food will be transferred to the cells of the body by the process of assimilation. The main goal of assimilation is to maintain a good growth of the body and repair the cells of the body.

Complete answer: In herbivores, the assimilated energy is used in the process of respiration. The unassimilated energy is then transferred to decomposers. The herbivore energy level is either carnivore utilized or else transferred to the decomposers after the death of herbivores.
The 10% of herbivore productivity which is a small fraction is used so that it supports carnivore productivity. Likewise, at the carnivore, trophic level energy is again divided and leaves a very small fraction which supports the further trophic level named as a top carnivore.
The cost of respiration increases with an increase in the trophic levels. The average consumption of producers in their gross productivity of respiration is 20%. The consumption of assimilated energy by herbivores is 30% which increases respiration to about 60%.
Thus, as the trophic level increases, there will be a tremendous loss of energy.
So, the correct answer is “Option B”.

Additional Information:
The plant material ingested by the herbivore assimilates between 15% to 80% and this will mainly depend on their physiology and plant part that they eat. The seeds and young vegetation plants provide high assimilation efficiencies to herbivores as compared to the older leaves ingestion which provides intermediate efficiencies.

Note:
Secondary productivity is referred to as the rate of assimilation of energy at herbivore level. We must note that at a higher trophic level the supply of energy is lowest. Thus, assimilation of energy helps the growth of the body and maintains the nutrient requirements in the body. The cells of the body will repair with good efficiency of assimilation.