Fast energy, not long lasting.

the denominator has a very specific role.

only about ten percent of the energy at one trophic level is passed on to organisms at the next trophic level. the remainder of the energy is used in life processes or lost as heat.

those characteristics are cellular organization, reproduction, metabolism, homeostasis, heredity, response to stimuli, growth and development, and adaptation through evolution. some things, such as a virus, demonstrate only a few of these characteristics and are, therefore, not alive