Given below are two statements: one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R). Assertion (A): The pyramid of energy can be inverted in a marine ecosystem. Reason (R): When energy flows from a particular trophic level to the next, some energy is always lost as heat at each step. In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

Step-by-step solution

The pyramid of energy is always upright and can never be inverted in any ecosystem, including marine ecosystems. This is because according to the 10 percent law and the second law of thermodynamics, when energy flows from a particular trophic level to the next, some energy is always lost as heat at each step. Therefore, the energy at a lower trophic level is always greater than at a higher level. Thus, the Assertion is incorrect, but the Reason is a correct statement. Answer: (A) is not correct but (R) is correct