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With reference to food chains, consider the following statements:
1. All food chains begin with autotrophs.
2. In an aquatic ecosystem, Detritus Food Chain (DFC) is the major conduit for energy flow as Grazing Food Chain (GFC) is totally absent.
3. Saprotrophs form an important part of Detritus Food Chains.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
  • a)
    1 and 3 only
  • b)
    2 and 3 only
  • c)
    3 only
  • d)
    1 and 2 only
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?
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Most Upvoted Answer
With reference to food chains, consider the following statements:1. Al...
  • The grazing food chain begins with autotrophs. In this, energy and nutrients move from plants to the herbivores consuming them, and to the carnivores or omnivores preying upon the herbivores. The detritus food chain (DFC) begins with dead organic matter. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.
  • In an aquatic ecosystem, Grazing Food Chain (GFC) is the major conduit for energy flow. As against this, in a terrestrial ecosystem, a much larger fraction of energy flows through the detritus food chain than through the GFC. The Detritus food chain may be connected with the grazing food chain at some levels: some of the organisms of DFC are prey to the GFC animals. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.
  • In a natural ecosystem, some animals like cockroaches, crows, etc., are omnivores. An omnivore is an animal that has the ability to eat and survive on both plant and animal matter. Thus, Omnivores can occupy two trophic levels in the food chain first as primary consumer feeding on grass/plants and as carnivores feeding on insects.
  • The detritus food chain (DFC) is made up of decomposers which are heterotrophic organisms, mainly fungi, and bacteria. They meet their energy and nutrient requirements by degrading dead organic matter or detritus. These are also known as saprotrophs (sapro: to decompose). Decomposers secrete digestive enzymes that break down dead and waste materials into simple, inorganic materials, which are subsequently absorbed by them. Hence, statement 3 is correct.
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With reference to food chains, consider the following statements:1. Al...
Autotrophs as the Basis of Food Chains
- The statement that all food chains begin with autotrophs is correct. Autotrophs are organisms that can produce their own food through processes like photosynthesis.
- Autotrophs form the base of the food chain as they are able to convert sunlight into energy that is then passed on to other organisms in the ecosystem.

Detritus and Grazing Food Chains in Aquatic Ecosystems
- In an aquatic ecosystem, both Detritus Food Chain (DFC) and Grazing Food Chain (GFC) play important roles in the flow of energy.
- While the Grazing Food Chain involves the transfer of energy through consumption of living organisms, the Detritus Food Chain involves the breakdown of organic matter like dead plants and animals.
- It is incorrect to say that the Grazing Food Chain is totally absent in aquatic ecosystems as it coexists with the Detritus Food Chain.

Role of Saprotrophs in Detritus Food Chains
- Saprotrophs are organisms that feed on dead and decaying matter, playing a crucial role in the Detritus Food Chain.
- They break down organic material into simpler compounds, releasing nutrients back into the ecosystem for use by other organisms.
- Therefore, the statement that saprotrophs form an important part of Detritus Food Chains is correct.
In conclusion, statement 3 is correct as saprotrophs do play a significant role in Detritus Food Chains. Statements 1 and 2 are either partially correct or incorrect based on the explanations provided.
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Ecosystems provide people with a variety of goods and services; food, clean water, clean air, flood control, soil stabilization, pollination, climate regulation, spiritual fulfilment and aesthetic enjoyment, to name just a few. Most of these benefits either are irreplaceable or the technology necessary to replace them is prohibitively expensive. For example, potable fresh water can be provided by desalinating sea-water, but only at great cost. The rapidly expanding human population has greatly modified the Earths ecosystems to meet their increased requirements of some of the goods and services, particularly food, fresh water, timber, fibre and fuel. These modifications have contributed substantially to human well being and economic development. The benefits have notbeen equally distributed. Some people have actually been harmed by these changes. Moreover, short-term increases in some ecosystem goods and services have come at the cost of the long-term degradation of others. For example, efforts to increase the production of food and fibre have decreased the ability of some ecosystems to provide clean water, regulate flooding and support biodiversity.Q. With reference to the passage, consider the following statements:1. It is imperative to modify the Earths ecosystems for the well being of mankind. 2. Technology can never replace all the goods and services provided by ecosystems. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

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With reference to food chains, consider the following statements:1. All food chains begin with autotrophs.2. In an aquatic ecosystem, Detritus Food Chain (DFC) is the major conduit for energy flow as Grazing Food Chain (GFC) is totally absent.3. Saprotrophs form an important part of Detritus Food Chains.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?a)1 and 3 onlyb)2 and 3 onlyc)3 onlyd)1 and 2 onlyCorrect answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?
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