Why is the flow of energy in an ecosystem described as one-way?

Energy moves in a cycle, like nutrients, from consumers back to producersCorrect answerYour answerOnly herbivores can pass energy onCorrect answerYour answerEnergy passes from the Sun to producers to consumers, and the part lost as heat never returns to the plantsCorrect answerYour answerDecomposers send all the energy back to the SunCorrect answerYour answer

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CorrectNot quiteAnswer C

Correct answer: C

At each level most of the energy is used for life processes and lost as heat.
Plants cannot use heat to make food, so energy cannot flow back. Nutrients are recycled, but energy is not.

Concept: One-way flow of energy
Typical timeTypical: 60 s
Your timeYours: —

The rule this testsFood chains and energy flow

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Ten questions from Ecosystems and Biodiversity, at your own pace.

Why is the flow of energy in an ecosystem described as one-way?

Explanation