Question

Matter flow in an ecosystem is ___.

• A. Bidirectional
• B. Unidirectional
• C. All around
• D. Both (a) and (b)

Answer 1

The correct option is B Unidirectional

Matter flows cyclically in an ecosystem. The nutrients from the soil and atmosphere is used by the producers to prepare food and is assimilated as biological matter. This matter is then consumed by the consumers. All these nutrients are released back into the abiotic world when the organisms die and decompose, which once again enters the biotic world through the producers. Therefore matter flows cyclically in an ecosystem. Energy flow however, is always uni-directional, i.e from sun to producers to consumers.