Study the following statements and select the incorrect one.a)Shorter ...
Pyramid of biomass for terrestrial ecosystems (grasslands, forests) the biomass generally decreases at each higher trophic level from plants via herbivores to carnivores. This is evident from the fact that the terrestrial producers’ viz. grasses, trees and shrubs have a much higher biomass than the animals that consume them, such as deer, zebras and insects. A single plant or animal in a parasitic food chain may support numerous parasites, which might be further supporting a larger number of hyperparasites. Thus, the pyramid of numbers in a parasitic food chain is inverted.
So the correct option is 'the pyramid of biomass is upright in a grassland ecosystem and the pyramid of number is upright in a parasitic food chain'.
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Study the following statements and select the incorrect one.a)Shorter ...
Incorrect Statement: The pyramid of biomass is upright in a grassland ecosystem and the pyramid of numbers is upright in a parasitic food chain.
Explanation:
Pyramids of Biomass and Numbers:
- Pyramid of Biomass represents the total dry weight of all organisms present at each trophic level at a particular time in an ecosystem.
- Pyramid of Numbers represents the number of organisms present at each trophic level at a particular time in an ecosystem.
Pyramid of Biomass in Grassland Ecosystem:
- In a grassland ecosystem, the pyramid of biomass is usually upright, which means that the biomass of producers is higher than the biomass of herbivores, and the biomass of herbivores is higher than the biomass of carnivores.
- This is because grasses are the primary producers in a grassland ecosystem, and they have a high rate of photosynthesis and growth, which results in a large biomass.
- The herbivores, such as grazing animals like deer and antelopes, feed on the grasses and have a lower biomass than the producers.
- The carnivores, such as lions and cheetahs, feed on the herbivores and have an even lower biomass.
Pyramid of Numbers in Parasitic Food Chain:
- In a parasitic food chain, the pyramid of numbers is usually upright, which means that the number of organisms at each trophic level decreases as we move from lower to higher trophic levels.
- This is because the parasites, such as fleas and ticks, reproduce rapidly and have a large number of individuals at the lower trophic level.
- The number of organisms at higher trophic levels, such as the host animals, is much lower.
Thus, statement c) is incorrect as it states that the pyramid of biomass is upright in a grassland ecosystem and the pyramid of numbers is upright in a parasitic food chain, which is not true.
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