Study the following food web and answer any four questions. 

 

1. Identify the producer in the above food web.
   (i) K
   (ii) L
   (iii) J
   (iv) G
2. 
   The primary consumers in the above food web are
   (i) F,L,H,K
   (ii) M,K,J,H
   (iii) J,L,K,M
   (iv) F,K,M,H
3. 
   The maximum energy in the ecosystem is received by
   (i) M
   (ii) K
   (iii) G
   (iv) None of these
4. 
   Identify the top-level carnivores?
   (i) K
   (ii) M
   (iii) G
   (iv) Both (i) and (ii)
5. 
   What would happen if all the species at one trophic level were to be wiped out?
   (i) Population of organisms in the previous trophic level will increase
   (ii) Population of the organism in the previous trophic level will decrease
   (iii) Population of the organism in the next trophic level will increase
   (iv) This will not affect the population of any trophic level
    

Solution: Food web: The network of the interconnected food chain at different trophic levels in a biotic community.
Explanation:
(a) K of these is the producer.
Producers: The organism that has the capability of producing its food. They reside at the bottom of the food chain.
Hence option (i) K is correct.

(b) M,K,J,H organisms are primary consumers.
Primary consumers: The organism that feeds directly on the producers, who are above the food chain's producers.
Hence option (ii) M,K,J,H is correct.

(c) K organisms will receive maximum energy in the ecosystem.
Energy flow is the sequential process of the movement of energy in an ecosystem.
Ten per cent law of energy transfer: The transfer of energy from one trophic level to another trophic level is accompanied by loss of energy at each level. Thus, at each transfer, only 10% of the total energy is available to the next trophic level. So, the producer will have the maximum energy in the ecosystem.
Hence option (ii) K is correct.

(d) Top carnivores: The carnivores not eaten by others are called top carnivores. They are the top level in the food chain.
Hence option (ii) M is correct.

(e) If we kill all the organisms at one trophic level, their energy transfer will stop as it is unidirectional. The organism of the next level will not have access to energy(in the form of food).
Hence option (iii) Population of the organism in the next trophic level will increase, is correct.