The diagram shows the annual energy flow through a population of grasshoppers (primary consumers) in a meadow ecosystem.
The energy values measured for this population are:
- Ingested energy (III) = 2.50×105 kJ m−2 yr−12.50 \times 10^5 \text{ kJ m}^{-2}\text{ yr}^{-1}2.50×105 kJ m−2 yr−1
- Energy lost in faeces and excretion (FFF) = 1.05×105 kJ m−2 yr−11.05 \times 10^5 \text{ kJ m}^{-2}\text{ yr}^{-1}1.05×105 kJ m−2 yr−1
- Energy lost through respiration (RRR) = 1.15×105 kJ m−2 yr−11.15 \times 10^5 \text{ kJ m}^{-2}\text{ yr}^{-1}1.15×105 kJ m−2 yr−1
Calculate the percentage efficiency with which these primary consumers convert ingested energy into biomass available to the secondary consumers, and identify the biological process responsible for the energy lost via path RRR.
12.0%12.0\%12.0% and cellular respiration
58.0%58.0\%58.0% and cellular respiration
12.0%12.0\%12.0% and excretion
46.0%46.0\%46.0% and cellular respiration