Question

The diagram shows some of the energy inputs and outputs for a farm animal. How much of the energy in the cow's food was transferred into food for humans?

Answer 1

About 90% of the energy is lost to heat moving up one trophic level. Only 10% actually makes it to the next organism. Assuming the chain goes produce, primary consumer, secondary consumer, humans receive about 1% of the original energy from the cow’s food.