Tag: ecological pyramid

Questions Related to ecological pyramid

Study the following statements and select the incorrect ones.
(i) Pyramids of energy and yearly biomass production can never be inverted, since this would violate the laws of thermodynamics.
(ii) Pyramids of standing crop and numbers can be inverted, since the number of organisms at a time does not indicate the amount of energy flowing through the system.
(iii) There are certain limitations of ecological pyramids such as they do not take into account the same species belonging to two or more trophic levels.
(iv) Saprophytes are not given any place in ecological pyramids even though they play a vital role in the ecosystem.

zoology energy flow in an ecosystem the energy pyramid ecological pyramid ecological pyramids

  1. (i) and (ii)

  2. (iii) and (iv)

  3. (ii) and (iii)

  4. None of these

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Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The second law of thermodynamics states that whenever energy is transformed, there is a loss energy through the release of heat. This occurs when energy is transferred between trophic levels as illustrated in a food web. When one animal feeds off another, there is a loss of heat (energy) in the process. Additional loss of energy occurs during respiration and movement. Hence, more and more energy is lost as one moves up through trophic levels. If this pyramid is inverterved, it would violate the law of thermodynamics. Hence the pyramid can never be inverted.

The pyramid of numbers depicts the relationship in terms of the number of producers, herbivores and the carnivores at their successive trophic levels. There is a decrease in the number of individuals from the lower to the higher trophic levels. The number pyramid varies from ecosystem to ecosystem. Since the amount if energy flowing through the system is not indicated, the pyramid can be inverted.
These are the diagrammatic illustrations of connection between different trophic levels in terms of energy, biomass and number of an organism. The base of each pyramid represents the producers or the first trophic level. Apex represents tertiary or top level consumers. If any species belongs to two or more trophic level, it can causes differences and issues in energy flow and numbers. 
Saprophytes are organisms which feed on dead and decaying matter and these pyramid exhibit interaction between the living components and decomposers interact with dead organisms at all level. This makes it difficult to place it in the ecological pyramid. Hence, they are not given any place in ecological pyramids even though they play a vital role in the ecosystem.
So the correct option is 'none of these'.

Who proposed the concept of ecological pyramids?

zoology energy flow in an ecosystem the energy pyramid ecological pyramid ecological pyramids

  1. Odum

  2. Clements

  3. Tansley

  4. Elton

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Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Odum is the father of modern ecology. Clements proposed the theory of plant succession. The tern ecosystem was proposed by Tansley. Elton proposed the concept of ecological pyramids. Hence, it is also called as Eltonian pyramids. Ecological pyramid is a graphical representation that shows the biomass at each trophic level. 

Thus, the correct answer is 'Elton.'

Which one statement for pyramid of energy is incorrect?

zoology energy flow in an ecosystem the energy pyramid ecological pyramid ecological pyramids

  1. Inverted in shape

  2. Upright in shape

  3. Base is broad

  4. Shows energy content of different trophic levels

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Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Pyramid of energy represents the amount of energy at different trophic level. It is always upright in shape. Only 10% of energy is transferred from one trophic level to next trophic level. The majority of energy is lost during the transfer of energy. The base of pyramid of energy is always broad indicating maximum amount of energy at the first trophic level. 

Thus, the correct answer is 'Inverted in shape.'

Which of the following is not a limitation of pyramid?

zoology energy flow in an ecosystem the energy pyramid ecological pyramid ecological pyramids

  1. It does not take into account the same species belonging to two or more trophic level

  2. It does not accommodate a food chain

  3. It does not accommodate a food web

  4. none of these

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Correct Option: A

Which of the following is not limitation of pyramid?

zoology energy flow in an ecosystem the energy pyramid ecological pyramid ecological pyramids

  1. It does not take into account the same species belonging to two or more trophic level

  2. It does not accommodate a food chain

  3. It does not accommodate a food web

  4. Saprophytes are given any place

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Correct Option: A

Graphical representation of trophic structure and function is known as

zoology energy flow in an ecosystem the energy pyramid ecological pyramid ecological pyramids

  1. Ecological Pyramid

  2. Ecosystem

  3. Ecological Function

  4. Environment

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Correct Option: A

An ecological pyramid of biomass is often an inverted pyramid in which of following ecosystem?

zoology energy flow in an ecosystem the energy pyramid ecological pyramid ecological pyramids

  1. Desert

  2. Ocean

  3. Tundra

  4. Rain forest

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Correct Option: B
Explanation:

In an aquatic ecosystem, the producers are the algae and the phytoplanktons. The primary consumers are the zooplanktons and the next consumers are the fishes. The biomass of the phytoplanktons is less than the zooplanktons. There is increase in the number of the organisms with increasing trophic level. 

Thus, the correct answer is option B. 

The least amount of stored chemical energy is found in which of the following trophic level?

zoology energy flow in an ecosystem the energy pyramid ecological pyramid ecological pyramids

  1. Primary producers

  2. Decomposers

  3. Primary consumers

  4. Secondary consumers

  5. Tertiary consumers

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Correct Option: B

Which type of pyramid of energy  is inverted?

zoology energy flow in an ecosystem the energy pyramid ecological pyramid ecological pyramids

  1. Grass land

  2. Tree

  3. Both (A) and (B)

  4. None of the above

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Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Pyramid of energy is ecological pyramid that gives graphic representation of amount of energy trapped by different trophic levels per unit area. It is always upright because during transfer of energy from one trophic level to the next a lot of wastage occurs in feeding, digestion, assimilation and respiration i.e metabolism at each trophic level. Hence, organisms of each trophic level have more energy than each succeeding trophic level and less energy than organisms at previous trophic level. Thus, the correct answer is option D.

Pyramid of energy in a pond ecosystem is always 

zoology energy flow in an ecosystem the energy pyramid ecological pyramid ecological pyramids

  1. Inverted

  2. Upright

  3. Irregular

  4. Linear

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Correct Option: B