© All Rights reserved @ LearnWithDash
Well-Structured Explanation
1. Introduction
This question asks us to identify the two correct statements among four given options related to predation and plant secondary metabolites. The correct statements are (a) and (b). Let us analyze each statement carefully to understand why (a) and (b) are valid, whereas (c) and (d) are not.
2. Analysis of Statement (a)
Statement (a): A lion eating a deer and a sparrow feeding on grain are ecologically similar in being consumers.
Explanation: In an ecosystem, organisms are categorized based on how they obtain food. Both a lion hunting deer (animal-based food) and a sparrow eating grains (plant-based food) represent consumer organisms, because they depend on other organisms (plants or animals) for their energy needs. Hence, statement (a) correctly points out that, ecologically, both are consumers in their respective food chains.
3. Analysis of Statement (b)
Statement (b): Predator starfish Pisaster helps in maintaining species diversity of some invertebrates.
Explanation: Predators often play a crucial role in regulating population sizes of their prey. Some predators, such as the starfish Pisaster, selectively feed on certain prey, thereby preventing a single species from dominating the ecosystem. By controlling the abundance of prey species, they allow multiple species to coexist, which helps maintain or even enhance species diversity in a community. Hence, statement (b) is correct.
4. Refuting Statements (c) and (d)
Statement (c): Predators ultimately lead to the extinction of prey species.
Explanation: While predators do feed on prey, predator-prey interactions usually reach a dynamic balance. Coevolution between predator and prey often prevents the complete extinction of either. If predators were to drive their prey to extinction, they would lose their own food source and risk their own extinction. Thus, statement (c) is not generally true.
Statement (d): Production of chemicals such as nicotine, strychnine by the plants are metabolic disorders.
Explanation: Nicotine and strychnine are secondary metabolites (alkaloids) produced by plants as defense mechanisms against herbivores and pathogens. They are not metabolic disorders but are by-products of normal plant metabolism (often referred to as secondary metabolites). Hence, statement (d) is incorrect.
5. Conclusion
Based on the above analysis, the two statements that are correct are (a) and (b). Statements (c) and (d) are incorrect because predators do not generally drive prey species to extinction, and plant alkaloids like nicotine and strychnine are not metabolic disorders but secondary metabolites involved in plant defense.
