Question

Assertion [A]: Trophic level represents a functional level, not a species as such.

Reason [R]: A given species may occupy more than one trophic level in the same ecosystem at the same time.

• A. Both statements A and R are correct and statement R is the correct explanation of statement A.
• B. Both statements A and R are correct and statement R is not the explanation of statement A.
• C. Statement A is correct and statement R is incorrect.
• D. Both statements A and R are incorrect.

Answer 1

The correct option is A Both statements A and R are correct and statement R is the correct explanation of statement A.

Trophic level represents the position of an organism in a particular food chain on the basis of its feeding habit. For example, when a bear eats berries, the bear is functioning as a primary consumer (second trophic level). But when the same bear eats a plant-eating rodent, the bear is functioning as a secondary consumer (third trophic level). Thus, a given species may occupy more than one trophic level in the same ecosystem at the same time.