Question

The total energy fixed by a green plant is called:

• A. Net Production
• B. Primary Production
• C. Secondary Production
• D. Gross Production

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

The total energy fixed by a green plant is called Gross Primary Production (GPP). GPP refers to the total amount of energy captured by plants through photosynthesis from sunlight. This is the total energy available to the plant, including the energy used for its own growth, respiration, and other metabolic processes.

Let’s look at the other options:

(1) Net Production: This refers to the energy remaining after the plant has used some of the energy for respiration. It is calculated as Net Primary Production (NPP) = GPP - Respiration. This is the energy available to the next trophic level (herbivores, for example).

(2) Primary Production: This term refers to the process of energy fixation by plants and is typically classified into Gross Primary Production (GPP) and Net Primary Production (NPP).

(3) Secondary Production: This refers to the production of biomass by consumers (such as herbivores and carnivores) in an ecosystem, not by plants.

Thus, the correct answer is (4) Gross Production, which is the total amount of energy fixed by a green plant through photosynthesis.

Answer 2

Gross production is the total energy captured by plants through photosynthesis. Net production is the energy left after respiration. Gross production represents the full energy potential fixed through the plant’s photosynthetic activities.