Question

In a terrestrial ecosystem,

• A. A smaller proportion of energy flows through the grazing food chain as compared to the detritus food chain
• B. A smaller proportion of energy flows through the detritus food chain as compared to grazing food chain
• C. Equal proportion of energy flows through detritus food chain and grazing food chain
• D. No energy flows through detritus food chain and grazing food chain

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

A grazing food chain involves producers and various types of consumers. A detritus food chain involves decomposers, mainly fungi and bacteria, which break down dead organic matter. In the aquatic ecosystem, most of the energy flows through the grazing food chain, whereas in the terrestrial ecosystem, most of the energy flows through the detritus food chain.