4.7 explain why only about 10% of energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next

This is mainly explained in point 4.6, but I will cover the main points again...

Much energy is lost so not all energy an organism takes in is conserved until it dies and then transferred onto he next trophic level when it is eaten. the main causes of energy loss are...

- Heat energy
- Energy needed for the 7 life processes
- Energy in indigestible foods (e.g fibre) is not 'absorbed'

this results in around 90% of the energy being used, so only 10% is passed onto he next trophic level.