Question

Assertion (A): Some aquatic ecosystems have inverted biomass pyramids.
Reason (R): More energy is required by 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:

In aquatic ecosystems, phytoplankton reproduce rapidly, sustaining higher consumer biomass despite low producer biomass.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Inverted biomass pyramids occur in aquatic ecosystems where the biomass of primary consumers exceeds that of producers. The energy transfer efficiency in trophic levels determines biomass, not the amount of energy required by higher trophic levels, which makes the reason valid but not explanatory for the assertion.