Question

The movement of energy and nutrients through living systems in what way?
A. Energy recycles while the nutrients flow in two directions
B. Nutrients recycles while energy flows in one direction
C. Nutrients are lost as heat while energy forms chemical compounds.
D. Nutrients are constantly available while energy is limited
E. Nutrients are lost as heat while energy is limited

Answer 1

Hint: In the living system the energy is trapped from the sun. The green plants synthesize carbohydrate and other food materials within their body from carbon dioxide and water with the help of sunlight. The rest of the food energy is stored in the plant body.

Complete answer:
The flow of energy in the ecosystem is important to maintain an ecological balance. The producers synthesise food by the process of photosynthesis. The remaining energy is used by the plants in their growth and development. This stored energy is then transferred to the primary consumers when they feed on the producers. All animals depend on the plants for their food. The animals utilized a part of the food for respiration. The main source of energy in an ecosystem and it is utilised by the green plants for the production of glucose. In an ecosystem, the producer transforms solar energy into chemical energy and with the help of water and carbon dioxide to prepare carbohydrates. When energy flows through the different trophic levels of an ecosystem, some energy is lost as heat during the process.
The energy is moved from one trophic level to the next trophic level. Thus, the energy flows in one direction. The organisms required energy for the growth, locomotion, heating themselves, and reproduction. The organic and inorganic matters help in the production of nutrients. The organic and inorganic matters are produced and are exchanged between the whole trophic level cyclically. So, the nutrients can be recycled.
Hence, the correct option is ‘b. The nutrients recycle while the energy flows in one direction only.’

Note: Energy and nutrients are passed through the different trophic levels by the process of the food chain or food web. The plants take the nutrients from their roots which are obtained from the dead organisms.