Rho GTPases are the “master builders” of the cell because they can activate an array of kinases and cytoskeletal binding proteins that remodel cytoskeletal elements to alter cell shape and movement

TLS Online TPP Program

#Id: 5950

#Unit 10. Ecological Principles

Trophic-level transfer efficiency is low for the two reasons

a- Many organisms cannot digest all their prey.  

b- Much of the energy assimilated by animals is used in maintenance.

c- The dead organisms and feces become dinner for decomposers.

TLS Online TPP Program

#Id: 5951

#Unit 10. Ecological Principles

Consumption efficiency 

Consumption efficiency is the proportion of production at one trophic level (Prod n -1) that is eaten by, or ingested, by the next trophic level (In)

TLS Online TPP Program

#Id: 5952

#Unit 10. Ecological Principles

Consumption efficiencies  Forests range from 1–2%.  In grasslands, most plants are non woody range from 30–60%.  In aquatic ecosystems (most plant and algal biomass can be consumed by herbivores) range from  60–99%.

TLS Online TPP Program

#Id: 5953

#Unit 10. Ecological Principles

Consumption efficiencies for carnivores are typically higher than those of herbivores and vary from 5–100% Vertebrate predators commonly consume more than 50% of their prey.

Consumption efficiency of terrestrial herbivore range between 0-15 %, means 85 – 100% NET terrestrial plant goes into decomposer chain.

TLS Online TPP Program

#Id: 5954

#Unit 10. Ecological Principles

Assimilation efficiency  Assimilation efficiency is the proportion of ingested energy that is assimilated into the bloodstream (An)

TLS Online TPP Program

#Id: 5955

#Unit 10. Ecological Principles

Carnivore assimilation efficiencies are often about 80%, because carnivores consume largely soft tissue,  Assimilation efficiencies for herbivores average only about 5–20% 

Assimilation efficiencies of aquatic herbivores have higher  than terrestrial herbivores.