Question

Assertion: The trophic level represents a functional level, not a species as such.

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

• A. Both statements 1 and 2 are correct and statement 2 is the correct explanation of statement 1.
• B. Both statements 1 and 2 are correct and statement 2 is not the explanation of statement 1.
• C. Statement 1 is correct and statement 2 is incorrect.
• D. Both statements 1 and 2 are incorrect.

Answer 1

The correct option is A

Both statements 1 and 2 are correct and statement 2 is the correct explanation of statement 1.

Trophic levels in a food chain represent a feeding level and is not restricted to a particular species. Omnivores like man and bear do not have a fixed place in the food chain. For example, when a bear eats berries, the bear is functioning as a primary consumer but when the same bear eats a plant-eating rodent, the bear is functioning as a secondary consumer. So, in the same terrestrial ecosystem food chain, it can be present at two trophic levels.