2014 GS Paper I, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2014 · GS Paper I

Question 80: Environment and Ecology

Which one of the following is the correct sequence of a food chain?

aDiatoms-Crustaceans-Herrings
bCrustaceans-Diatoms-Herrings
cDiatoms-Herrings-Crustaceans
dCrustaceans-Herrings-Diatoms

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (a).

A food chain runs from producers to consumers. Diatoms are microscopic algae that make food by photosynthesis, so they are the producers. Small crustaceans feed on diatoms as primary consumers, and herrings feed on crustaceans as secondary consumers. So the correct sequence is Diatoms to Crustaceans to Herrings.

Why each option is right or wrong
  • (a) Right. Producers first, then primary and secondary consumers.
  • (b) Wrong. Crustaceans cannot be the producers.
  • (c) Wrong. Herrings feed on crustaceans, so they cannot come before them.
  • (d) Wrong. Diatoms are the producers and must come first.

Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2014, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.