# Explain why energy is lost as it passes from one trophic level to the next in a food chain.

> Cambridge International IGCSE Biology (0610) — 19.1 Energy flow · Explain · 4 marks

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. Not all material can be digested, so energy in undigested matter is not transferred to the next trophic level
2. Energy is used for movement / other life processes at each trophic level
3. Energy is released as heat through respiration and lost to the environment
4. Because energy is lost at each trophic level, less energy is available for the next organism / this limits the number of trophic levels in a food chain

## Key terms

- [trophic level](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/trophic-level)
- [food chain](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/food-chain)
- [energy](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/energy)

## Related

- [Revision notes for Cambridge International IGCSE Biology (0610)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/explain-why-energy-is-lost-as-fda0f55c) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.