NEETBotanyEcosystem
Given below are two statements: one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R). Assertion (A): In a terrestrial ecosystem, if the Net Primary Productivity (NPP) of the producers is 20,000 J , the energy available to the tertiary consumers will be 20 J . Reason (R): According to the 10% law, only 10% of the energy is transferred from a lower trophic level to the next higher trophic level. In
Options
- ABoth Assertion and Reason are true and Reason is the correct explanation of Assertion.
- BBoth Assertion and Reason are true but Reason is not the correct explanation of Assertion.
- CAssertion is false but Reason is true.
- DAssertion is true but Reason is false.
Correct answer
C. Assertion is false but Reason is true.
Step-by-step solution
The Net Primary Productivity (NPP) of the producers (1st trophic level) represents the total biomass available for consumption by the primary consumers (2nd trophic level). Therefore, the energy available to the primary consumers is 20,000 J . According to the 10% law, only 10% of the energy is transferred to each subsequent trophic level. The Reason statement correctly defines this law. Applying the 10% law: Energy available to secondary consumers (3rd trophic level) = 10% of 20,000 J = 2000 J . Energy available t