Question

Identify the incorrect statement from the following :

• A. Pyramids of number and biomass may be either upright or inverted
• B. Food chains are generally short with few trophic levels as only 10% of the energy is transferred to each trophic level from the lower trophic level
• C. Pyramid of energy is mostly upright, but sometimes it may be inverted.
• D. Pyramid of biomass in sea is generally inverted as the biomass of fish far exceeds that of phytoplanktons.

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

Pyramid of energy is a graphic representation of amount of energy trapped per unit time and area in different trophic levels of a food chain with producers forming the base and top carnivores the tip. The energy content is expressed as kcal/$m^2$/yr. Pyramids of energy are always upright, since maximum energy content is present in the producers. From there, only 10% of energy is used by the next trophic level. Every trophic level gets only 1 0 % energy of the lower trophic level. Energy level always decreases along a food chain hence always upright pyramid is obtained.