IB Biology SL C4.2.14 Restrictions on Trophic Levels Questions

Large energy losses restrict food chains to a few trophic levels. Higher trophic levels usually support less biomass and fewer individuals. IB Biology SL C4.2.14 examines these limits.

Exam points

Explain how large energy losses between trophic levels limit food chains to a few trophic levels.
Explain why higher trophic levels usually support fewer individuals and less biomass as less energy is transferred between levels.

[Maximum number: 3]

The image shows an example of a soil food web.

Figure for Question IB Biology SL C4.2.14 Restrictions on Trophic Levels Questions question 1 — IB Biology SL

Explain the reasons for food chains rarely containing more than four or five trophic levels.

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a	energy is lost between the trophic levels;
b	transfer between levels is only usually 10% efficient OR energy transformations take place in living organisms / the process is never 100% efficient;
c	energy is lost by the organism/used in respiration/released as heat/movement;
d	energy is lost as waste/feces/urine/undigested food/uneaten parts;
e	as energy is lost between trophic levels, higher ones have less biomass / less biomass available for the next level;

IB Biology SL C4.2.14 Restrictions on Trophic Levels Questions question 1