Question

Select all the statements that correctly describe the trophic levels of an ecosystem:

The primary producers are at the base of an energy pyramid.
Options:
a. True
b. False

Answer 1

Option (a), The statement is true; primary producers form the base of an energy pyramid, converting light energy into chemical energy and supporting higher trophic levels with decreasing energy and biomass.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement that primary producers are at the base of an energy pyramid is true. In an ecosystem, the trophic levels are organized into an ecological pyramid with primary producers at the first level. These producers, such as phytoplankton and plants, convert light energy into chemical energy through photosynthesis. Moving up the pyramid, each level represents consumers that obtain energy by feeding on organisms from the lower level.

Energy is lost at each stage, resulting in a decrease of biomass and energy as one moves up from primary consumers to apex predators. Apex predators, which occupy the highest trophic level, have the least energy available to them due to the low energy transfer efficiency between trophic levels.