Question

Assertion (A): Some aquatic ecosystems have inverted biomass pyramids.
Reason (R): More energy is required by the organisms occupying higher trophic levels.

• A. Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
• B. Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
• C. (A) is true, but (R) is false
• D. (A) is false, but (R) is true

Hint:

Biomass pyramids in aquatic ecosystems are often inverted due to the high turnover rate of primary producers like phytoplankton.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Inverted biomass pyramids occur in aquatic ecosystems because the biomass of primary producers (phytoplankton) is smaller but reproduces rapidly, supporting higher trophic levels. The reason provided is true, but it is not the correct explanation for inverted biomass pyramids. Energy typically decreases with increasing trophic levels, but rapid reproduction of primary producers compensates for their low biomass.