NEETBotanyEcosystem
Given below are two statements: one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R). Assertion (A): In a grazing food chain, primary consumers always occupy the first trophic level. Reason (R): Herbivores feed directly on producers, which form the first trophic level. In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:
Options
- ABoth (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
- BBoth (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
- C(A) is true but (R) is false
- D(A) is false but (R) is true
Correct answer
D. (A) is false but (R) is true
Step-by-step solution
Assertion (A) is false because in a grazing food chain, producers (plants) occupy the first trophic level, whereas primary consumers (herbivores) occupy the second trophic level. Reason (R) is true because herbivores are the animals that feed directly on producers, and producers constitute the first trophic level. Therefore, (A) is false but (R) is true. Answer: (A) is false but (R) is true