Question

Which of the following statement(s) regarding energy flow is/are false? I. $\quad$The detritus food chain begins with dead organic matter II.$\quad$ In aquatic ecosystem, detritus food chain is the major conduit for energy flow III.$\quad$ In terrestrial ecosystem a larger fraction of energy flows through grazing food$\quad$ $\quad$ chain IV. $\quad$Producers belong to the first trophic level of the food chain

• A. II and III only
• B. III and IV only
• C. I and IV only
• D. I and II only

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

II and III only

Answer 2

Food chain is the linear sequence of organisms where latter eats the former. There are two types of food chains: grazing food chain (GFC) and detritus food chain (DFC). GFC starts with green plants as producers and ends at secondary carnivores. The DFC begins with dead organic matter and is made up of decomposers which meet
their energy and nutrient requirements by degrading dead organic matter or detritus. In an aquatic ecosystem GFC is the major conduit for energy flow, while in a terrestrial ecosystem, a much larger fraction of energy flows through DFC than through the GFC.