Question

In the food chains given below, select the most efficient food chain in terms of energy:

• A. Grass → Grasshopper → Frog → Snake
• B. Plants → Deer → Lion
• C. Plants → Man
• D. Phytoplankton → Zooplankton → Small Fish → Big Fish

Hint:

Energy efficiency decreases at higher trophic levels in a food chain due to the loss of energy at each step.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Energy transfer in food chains becomes less efficient higher up the trophic levels; about 90% of energy is lost at each level. Phytoplankton (producers) transfer energy to zooplankton, small fish, and then big fish. This food chain is more efficient than others because it starts with primary producers efficiently consumed by primary consumers and subsequent levels. Therefore, the correct choice is option (4).