Home › UP Board Class 10 › Science › Our Environment › Carnivores are usually fewer than herbivores in …
Carnivores are usually fewer than herbivores in number because:
AHigher trophic levels receive only a fraction of energy from lower levels
BCarnivores reproduce slowly
CCarnivores prefer to live alone
DHerbivores compete with carnivores for water (option)
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: A. Higher trophic levels receive only a fraction of energy from lower levels
1. Each trophic level retains only ~10% of the previous level's energy.
2. Less energy can sustain fewer individuals.
3. Carnivores therefore have smaller populations than herbivores.
_Source: NCERT Class 10 Science, Ch 13 "Our Environment", §13.1.1_
Related questions
The maximum concentration of accumulated pesticides in a food chain is usually found inWhich one of the following is a non-biodegradable waste?Substances that are broken down by biological processes are said to beThe chemicals mainly responsible for the depletion of the ozone layer areThe ozone layer in the upper atmosphere is important because itThe progressive increase in the concentration of harmful, non-degradable chemicals at eachFood chains generally have only three or four steps becauseThe flow of energy in a food chain is