What fraction of assimilated energy is used in respiration by the herbivore ?

Options

A. 20 per cent
B. 30 per cent
C. 40 per cent
D. 60 per cent

Answer

To solve the question regarding the fraction of assimilated energy used in respiration by herbivores, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understand the Concept of Assimilated Energy**:
- Assimilated energy refers to the energy that is obtained from the food that an organism ingests and is converted into usable energy for growth, maintenance, and other biological processes.

2. **Identify the Energy Usage in Herbivores**:
- It is important to know how much of this assimilated energy is utilized by herbivores for respiration. Respiration is a process that converts the energy stored in food into usable energy (ATP) for cellular activities.

3. **Determine the Fraction Used in Respiration**:
- According to ecological studies, herbivores typically use about 30% of their assimilated energy for respiration. This means that out of the total energy they assimilate from food, 30% is expended in the process of respiration.

4. **Conclude the Answer**:
- Therefore, the fraction of assimilated energy used in respiration by herbivores is 30%.

5. **Select the Correct Option**:
- When looking at the provided options (20%, 30%, 40%, 60%), the correct answer is 30%.

### Final Answer:
The fraction of assimilated energy used in respiration by herbivores is **30%**.