In an aquatic ecosystem, the major conduit for energy flow is:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → GFC
The grazing food chain (GFC) begins with green plants (producers) and passes energy to the animals that eat them. The detritus food chain (DFC) begins with dead organic matter and passes energy to decomposers and the animals that feed on them.
(1) GFC — Correct. In water, most of the energy is fixed by tiny floating producers and passes to the animals that graze on them. So the GFC carries most of the energy.
(2) DFC — Incorrect. The DFC is the main path on land, where a much larger part of the energy flows through detritus.
(3) GFC and DFC equally — Incorrect. The two chains do not share the energy equally in an aquatic ecosystem.
(4) Neither GFC nor DFC — Incorrect. Energy must pass along one or both of these chains.
NCERT Extract:
Energy Flow –
