NTA Abhyas NEET2020BotanyEcosystemPractice
Which of the following statements regarding food chain is false?
Options
- AIn an aquatic ecosystem, grazing food chain is the major conduit for energy flow.
- BIn terrestrial ecosystems, a large fraction of energy flows through detritus food chain.
- CThe detritus food chain begins with dead organic matter.
- DPrimary consumers belong to the first trophic level.
Correct answer
D. Primary consumers belong to the first trophic level.
Step-by-step solution
All animals depend on plants directly or indirectly for their food needs. They are hence, called consumers and also heterotrophs. If they feed on the producer, the plants (belonging to the first trophic level), they are called primary consumers. Obviously the primary consumers will be herbivores. Some common herbivores are insects, birds and mammals in terrestrial ecosystem and molluscs in aquatic system. Thus, primary consumers belong to the second trophic level.