Question

In parasitic food chain, the pyramid of numbers is

• A. Linear
• B. Upright
• C. Inverted
• D. Both B and C

Answer 1

The correct option is C

Inverted

The correct option is C

Explanation of the correct option:

1. In the parasitic food chain, the pyramid of numbers is inverted.
2. A small number of fruit-bearing plants or trees are consumed by herbivores like birds, and buffalo.
3. These herbivores act as a host body for parasites like lice, bugs, etc.
4. While a still greater number of hyper-parasites like bugs, fleas, and microbes feed upon them, thus making an inverted pyramid.

Explanation of the incorrect options:

Option A:

1. The linear type of food chain generally involves plants as producers, deer and other plant-eating animals as herbivores, and lions, and tigers as carnivores.
2. Plants are consumed by plant-eating animals like deer, cows, etc.
3. These herbivores are again attacked by carnivores or meat-eating animals like lions, tigers, etc.

Option B:

1. Upright pyramid is shown in the grassland ecosystem and pond ecosystem.
2. The producers are generally grasses that are fed by herbivores like insects.
3. These herbivores get consumed by carnivores like frogs, birds, etc.
4. Carnivores are preyed on by tertiary carnivores (hawks or other birds) which are gradually less and less in number.
5. Hence, the pyramid apex becomes gradually narrower forming an upright pyramid.

Final answer: In the parasitic food chain, the pyramid of numbers is inverted.