Question

In which life zone of ocean, the producers in the food chain are rarely found
A. Littoral
B. Limnetic
C. Profundal
D. Intertidal

Answer 1

Hint: Food chain is the process of flow of energy and nutrients by each organism situated in different trophic levels. It begins with producers who synthesize their own food such as phytoplanktons,algae etc. Producers are consumed by primary consumers who are usually herbivores.

Complete step by step solution:
The running water present in lakes or ponds or swamps are said to be lentic waters. These waters are divided into three zones namely, littoral, limnetic and profundal zone.

Littoral zone is that zone in which there is growth of algae and phytoplanktons. This zone is located closest to the shore and is in continuous contact with both shore and water. In this zone, the rate of photosynthesis and rate of respiration are equal. Presence of phototrophs indicates presence of producers in the food chains.

Similarly, the limnetic zone includes all the water beyond the littoral zone. Photosynthetic activities are seen in this zone as well with the help of phytoplanktons serving as producers such as blue green algae, flagellates etc. With the presence of those organisms, it can be said that producers exist in the limnetic zone also.

Lowest layer of the ocean is the profundal zone in which there's no penetration of light; thus, photosynthesis doesn't occur and this zone does not have many producers.

Hence, the zone of ocean in which producers are rarely found in the profundal zone. So the correct answer is option C.

Intertidal zone is the zone which is the region around the seashore. In this zone, low tides and high tides meet with each other.

Note: Presence of producers in a food chain is very significant as they initiate the chain by producing food via photosynthesis and the organisms who serve as producers are called autotrophs. Autotrophs are consumed by primary consumers and the food chain further continues.