Question

Assertion- The flow of energy is unidirectional in the ecosystem.
Reason- Consumers utilize the chemical energy as food and it is released into the atmosphere in the form of heat energy. It cannot be reused.
(a)Both Assertion and Reason are correct and Reason is the correct explanation for Assertion
(b)Both Assertion and Reason are correct but Reason is not the correct explanation for Assertion
(c)Assertion is correct but Reason is incorrect
(d)Both Assertion and Reason are incorrect

Answer 1

Hint: All organisms need the energy to perform essential functions such as maintenance, growth, repair, movement, locomotion, and reproduction; all of these processes require energy expenditure. The ultimate source of energy for all ecological systems is the Sun.

Complete answer:
Energy flow is the amount of energy that flows from one trophic level to a different trophic level in an ecosystem. It’s unidirectional. In any given ecosystem, the flow of energy takes place by different trophic levels. Producers or plants obtain their energy from the sun by photosynthesis. The primary consumers (herbivores) obtain their energy from the producers. The secondary consumers (carnivores) obtain their energy by using herbivores as a source of food. The energy present at each successive trophic level is 10 percent of the previous trophic level. The energy is released into the atmosphere within the sort of heat. It can't be reused.

Additional Information: A food chain is a series of plants/animals which are interconnected within the sort of organism being eaten as food by the other organism. Trophic levels during a food chain are formed by producers, consumers, and decomposers. Within the given food chain, plants are producers. The animals eating plants are known as primary consumers and animals eating primary consumers are known as secondary consumers. Decomposers are those which decompose the waster organic matter and release energy back within the environment. They cycle the varied minerals between the environment and living organisms. Hence, within the absence of decomposers, ecosystem functioning is adversely affected due to the blocking of mineral cycling.
So, the correct answer is 'Both Assertion and Reason are correct and Reason is the correct explanation for Assertion.'

Note: Death and decomposition are an important part of all life cycles on earth. So to allow a successful continuation of life and growth of the latest plants and animals, older specimens must die and decompose. This process provides essential nutrients for plants and also for the expansion and development of the latest organisms.