Academic session 2026-27, Chapter 12 in the current curriculum.
Welcome to the NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Biology - Chapter Ecosystem. This page offers a step-by-step solution to the specific question from Exercise 1, Question 6: Distinguish between
(a) Grazing food chain and detritus food chain
(b) Production and decomposition
(c) Upright and inverted pyramid
(d) Food chain and Food web
(e) Litter and detritus
(f) Primary and secondary productivity.
With detailed answers and explanations for each chapter, students can strengthen their understanding and prepare confidently for exams. Ideal for CBSE and other board students, this resource will simplify your study experience.
(a) Grazing food chain and detritus food chain
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Grazing food chain |
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Detritus food chain |
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1. |
In this food chain, energy is derived from the Sun. |
1. |
In this food chain, energy comes from organic matter (or detritus) generated in trophic levels of the grazing food chain. |
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2. |
It begins with producers, present at the first trophic level. The plant biomass is then eaten by herbivores, which in turn are consumed by a variety of carnivores. |
2. |
It begins with detritus such as dead bodies of animals or fallen leaves, which are then eaten by decomposers or detritivores. These detritivores are in turn consumed by their predators. |
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3. |
This food chain is usually large. |
3. |
It is usually smaller as compared to the grazing food chain. |
(b) Production and decomposition
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Production |
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Decomposition |
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1. |
It is the rate of producing organic matter (food) by producers. |
2. |
It is the process of breaking down of complex organic matter or biomass from the body of dead plants and animals with the help of decomposers into organic raw material such as CO2, H2O, and other nutrients. |
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2. |
It depends on the photosynthetic capacity of the producers. |
2. |
It occurs with the help of decomposers. |
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3 |
Sunlight is required by plants for primary production. |
3. |
Sunlight is not required for decomposition by decomposers |
(c) Upright and inverted pyramid
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Upright pyramid |
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Inverted pyramid |
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1. |
The pyramid of energy is always upright. |
1. |
The pyramid of biomass and the pyramid of numbers can be inverted. |
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2. |
In the upright pyramid, the number and biomass of organisms in the producer level of an ecosystem is the highest, which keeps on decreasing at each trophic level in a food chain. |
2. |
In an inverted pyramid, the number and biomass of organisms in the producer level of an ecosystem is the lowest, which keeps on increasing at each tropic level. |
(d) Food chain and Food web
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Food chain |
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Food web |
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1. |
It is a single linear sequence of organisms. |
1. |
It contains a number of interconnected food chains. |
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2. |
Members present at higher trophic levels feed on single types of organisms. |
2. |
One organism has alternate food sources. |
(e) Litter and detritus
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Litter |
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Detritus |
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1. |
Litter contains all kinds of wastes generated above the ground. |
1. |
Detritus is composed of the remains of dead plants and animals. |
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2. |
Litter contains both biodegradable and non-biodegradable matter. |
2. |
Detritus contains only biodegradable matter. |
(f) Primary and secondary productivity
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Primary productivity |
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Secondary productivity |
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1. |
It is defined as the amount of organic matter produced by producers per unit area over a period of time. |
1. |
It is defined as the rate of production of organic matter by consumers over a period of time. |
NCERT questions are designed to test your understanding of the concepts and theories discussed in the chapter. Here are some tips to help you answer NCERT questions effectively:
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Welcome to the NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Biology - Chapter . This page offers a step-by-step solution to the specific question from Excercise 1 , Question 6: Distinguish between (a) Grazing food chain and detritus food chain (b) Production and decomposition ....
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Comments
helped a lot
Thankyou This helps me very much
The levels of productivity in the doing of work is there to determine the amount of outcome you get. The difference between the productivity and efficiency lies in the outcome in the work you in the task assigned to you. The best way to have a good productivity is knowing the levels of productivity you can commit.
Not easy ans.....
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it was helpful. i learnt frm it considering exam point of view!!!!