Complete the given statement "The organisms at each trophic level dep…

The correct answer is Option (3) → Lower trophic level for their energy demands.

Option (1) Higher trophic level for their food demands. — Incorrect. Food (energy) passes from lower to higher levels, so organisms depend on the lower trophic level for food, not the higher one.

Option (2) Higher trophic level for their shelter demands. — Incorrect. Trophic levels are about food and energy, not shelter. Each level gets its energy from the level below it.

Option (3) Lower trophic level for their energy demands. — Correct. Each trophic level depends on the level below it for its energy: herbivores on plants, carnivores on herbivores. Energy passes upward along the food chain.

Option (4) Higher trophic level for their energy demands. — Incorrect. Energy flows upward from producers to consumers, so each level depends on the lower level for its energy, not the higher one.

Note: A similar question was also asked in CUET (UG) 2023 on 15-06-2023 (Slot 1).

NCERT Extract:
Energy Flow – “… The important point to note is that the amount of energy decreases at successive trophic levels. When any organism dies it is converted to detritus or dead biomass that serves as an energy source for decomposers. Organisms at each trophic level depend on those at the lower trophic level for their energy demands.”