Question

In an ecosystem, which ecological pyramid is always upright and never inverted?

• A. Pyramid of Biomass
• B. Pyramid of Numbers
• C. Pyramid of Energy
• D. Pyramid of Producers

Hint:

Remember: Pyramid of numbers and pyramid of biomass can sometimes be inverted in certain ecosystems, but the pyramid of energy is always upright due to continuous energy loss at each trophic level.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Concept: Ecological pyramids represent the relationship between different trophic levels in an ecosystem. The three main ecological pyramids are:
• Pyramid of Numbers
• Pyramid of Biomass
• Pyramid of Energy Among these, the Pyramid of Energy is always upright because energy flow in an ecosystem is unidirectional and decreases at each successive trophic level according to the 10% law of energy transfer.

Step 1: Understand energy flow in an ecosystem. Energy enters the ecosystem through producers (plants) via photosynthesis and then passes to consumers through food chains.

Step 2: Energy loss at each trophic level. At each trophic level, a large portion of energy is lost as heat through metabolic activities. Only about 10% of the energy is transferred to the next trophic level.

Step 3: Implication for ecological pyramids. Because energy continuously decreases from producers to top consumers, the energy pyramid can never be inverted. Hence, it always remains upright.