Multiple choice

The main limiting factor on the population of organisms is

Directions: Read the following passage and answer the related question.

The stability of the system of living creatures is linked with the natural food chain. Plants produce carbohydrates and protein and are eaten by herbivorous animals. We know the importance of all the organisms involved in this predator-prey food chain. By introducing toxic chemicals, which will be passed on to man through the food chain, or by destroying any of the species, we are only creating trouble for ourselves.

An interesting example is the ladybird beetle brought from Australia to California to prevent cottony-cushion scale insects infecting citrus plants there. The beetle ate up the insects and the situation improved. But recently DDT sprayed to control the other pests in the citrus trees affected the beetle and the cottony-cushion scales are dangerously active again.

To save crops, we kill sparrows and the insects multiply. It is said that one of the European countries which did this had to import sparrows to control the insects. Kill all the snakes in India because they are dangerous, and tomorrow you may have to import snakes to kill rats.

  1. general climate

  2. sunlight

  3. soil condition

  4. food chain
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

As discussed in the passage, all living beings depend on each other and control the population, and this is the food chain. If one animal in the chain is taken out, the ones lower down multiply and those above suffer.

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