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Q42 (IAS/2021) Environment & Ecology › Ecology & Ecosystem Basics › Marine productivity Official Key

Consider the following kinds of organisms : 1. Copepods 2. Cyanobacteria 3. Diatoms 4. Foraminifera Which of the above are primary producers in the food chains of oceans?

Result
Your answer: —  ·  Correct: B
Explanation

The correct answer is Option 2 (2 and 3) because primary producers are autotrophic organisms that synthesize organic compounds via photosynthesis, forming the base of the marine food web.

  • Cyanobacteria (2): Also known as blue-green algae, these are prokaryotic photosynthetic bacteria (e.g., Prochlorococcus) responsible for a significant portion of the ocean's oxygen and carbon fixation.
  • Diatoms (3): These are single-celled eukaryotic algae and a major group of phytoplankton. They are the most dominant primary producers in nutrient-rich marine environments.
  • Copepods (1): These are small crustaceans and belong to the category of zooplankton. They are primary consumers (herbivores) that feed on phytoplankton, not producers.
  • Foraminifera (4): These are single-celled amoeboid protists with shells. They are generally heterotrophic consumers or decomposers, though some harbor symbiotic algae, they are not classified as primary producers themselves.

Therefore, only Cyanobacteria and Diatoms function as the fundamental producers in oceanic food chains.

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Q. Consider the following kinds of organisms : 1. Copepods 2. Cyanobacteria 3. Diatoms 4. Foraminifera Which of the above are primary produc…
At a glance
Origin: Books + Current Affairs Fairness: Low / Borderline fairness Books / CA: 2.5/10 · 7.5/10
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This is a classic 'Classification' question disguised as technical biology. You don't need a PhD in Marine Biology; you just need to distinguish the 'Grass of the Sea' (Phytoplankton) from the 'Cows of the Sea' (Zooplankton). If you skipped the examples list in the 'Aquatic Ecosystem' chapter of Shankar/NCERT, you lost 2 easy marks.

How this question is built

This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.

Statement 1
Are copepods primary producers in the food chains of oceans?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 5/5
"phytoplankton represent the primary producers of organic matter and zooplankton are the link between the phytoplankton and higher trophic levels."
Why this source?
  • Defines which organisms are primary producers in ocean food chains (phytoplankton).
  • Distinguishes zooplankton as the link between phytoplankton (producers) and higher trophic levels, implying producers are not zooplankton.
Web source
Presence: 4/5
"These chains involve small metazoans and predominate in the northern open waters (Atkinson et al., 2012) with multiple trophic levels (copepods, chaetognaths, amphipods, myctophids, fish and birds) in contrast with the classical short chain of diatoms –"
Why this source?
  • Lists copepods among the small metazoans occupying multiple trophic levels in microbial food chains (i.e., as consumers).
  • Places copepods in chains contrasted with the 'classical short chain of diatoms' (diatoms being producers), supporting that copepods are not primary producers.

Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 3: MAJOR BIOMES > Food Chains in Marine Biomes > p. 33
Strength: 5/5
“Te food chains in the ocean water are much more complex than that of the terrestrial biomes as there is no efective barrier in the oceans and seas which can restrict fauna and fora to certain fxed localities. Te phytoplanktons are the primary producers in the photic zone (up to a depth of 200 m from the sea surface). Te primary producers (planktons) provide directly or indirectly, food to all the plant and animal communities of the oceans. Zooplanktons are the heterotrophic primary consumer animals and form trophic level two of the food chain because these feed on phytoplanktons. Phytoplanktons manufacture food through the process of photosynthesis because of the availability of sunlight during daytime.”
Why relevant

States that phytoplanktons are the primary producers in the photic zone and that zooplanktons are heterotrophic primary consumers feeding on phytoplankton.

How to extend

A student can check whether copepods are classified as zooplankton; if so, they would be consumers rather than producers.

Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 30: Climatic Regions > Geographical advantage > p. 465
Strength: 4/5
“• Phytoplankton, algae and other plants (primary producers) are able to photosynthesise to produce organic material from inorganic nutrients. And the organic material forms the building block for all animals higher up in the marine food chain.• Almost all biomass in the ocean is derived from the phytoplankton and to a lesser extent the benthic algae (found on the bottom of a sea or lake; algae are insignificant players in the marine ecosystem compared to the phytoplankton as they only inhabit a narrow zone around the coast). Hence phytoplankton are called the grass of the sea.• There is a fundamental problem that phytoplankton in the open ocean face.”
Why relevant

Explicitly defines phytoplankton (and benthic algae) as the main primary producers — 'grass of the sea' — forming the base of marine food chains.

How to extend

Combine this rule with identification of copepods’ trophic category (zooplankton vs phytoplankton) to infer their role.

Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 2: Functions of an Ecosystem > i) Grazing food chain > p. 12
Strength: 5/5
“The consumers which start the food chain, utilizing the plant or plant part as their food, constitute the grazing food chain. This food chain begins from green plants at the base and the primary consumer is herbivore. For example, In terestrial ecosystem, grass is eaten up. by caterpillar, which is eaten by lizard and lizard is eaten by snake. In Aquatic ecosystem phytoplanktons (primary producers) is eaten by zoo planktons which is eaten by fishes and fishes are eaten by pelicans.”
Why relevant

Gives a concrete aquatic grazing food chain example: phytoplanktons (producers) → zooplanktons (primary consumers) → fishes.

How to extend

Map copepods onto the 'zooplankton' slot in this example to test if they are primary consumers rather than producers.

Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 14: Marine Organisms > 14.3. ZOOPLANKTON > p. 209
Strength: 4/5
“• Zooplankton play vital role in food web of the lcod chain, nutrient recycling, and in transfer of organic matter from primary producers to serondary consumers like fishes. • They are more abundant within mangrove waterways than in adjacent coastal waters, and a large proportion of the juvenile fish of mangrove habitat are zooplanktivorous. • The zooplanckton determine the quantum of fish stock.”
Why relevant

Describes zooplankton roles in transferring matter from primary producers to higher consumers and their importance for fish stocks.

How to extend

If copepods are members of zooplankton, this supports treating them as consumers that feed on phytoplankton.

Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 14: Marine Organisms > The food web > p. 208
Strength: 4/5
“rti7 ;It r Phytoplanktons are the foundation of the aquatic food web, the primary producers; they feed everything from microscopic animal-like zooplankton to whales. Small fish and invertebrates graze on the phytoplanktons, and then those smaller animals are eaten by bigger ones.”
Why relevant

Reiterates that phytoplanktons are the foundation (primary producers) feeding zooplankton and higher animals.

How to extend

A student can use this general pattern plus a taxonomic lookup of copepods to judge whether they fit as producers or consumers.

Statement 2
Are cyanobacteria primary producers in the food chains of oceans?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 14: Marine Organisms > 14.2 PHYTOPLANKTON > p. 207
Presence: 5/5
“• Derived from the Greek words phyto (plant) and plankton (made to wander or drift), phytoplankton are microscopic plant organisms that live in aquatic environments, both salty and fresh. • Some phytoplankton are bacteria, some are protists, and most are single-celled plants. Among the common kinds are cyanobacteria, silica-encased diatoms, dinoflagellates, green algae, and chalk-coated coccolithophores. • Phytoplankton produce more than 60% of oxygen produced from all plants. All phytoplankton photosynthesize, but some get additional energy by consuming other organisms. • These micro-algae are present throughout the lighted regions of all the seas and oceans, including the Polar Regions.• Their total biomass is many times greater than that of the total plants on land, and they serve as the "pasture grounds" in the aquatic environment.”
Why this source?
  • Explicitly lists cyanobacteria among common kinds of phytoplankton.
  • Defines phytoplankton as microscopic plant organisms that photosynthesize (i.e., act as primary producers).
Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 14: Marine Organisms > The food web > p. 208
Presence: 5/5
“rti7 ;It r Phytoplanktons are the foundation of the aquatic food web, the primary producers; they feed everything from microscopic animal-like zooplankton to whales. Small fish and invertebrates graze on the phytoplanktons, and then those smaller animals are eaten by bigger ones.”
Why this source?
  • States phytoplankton are the foundation of the aquatic food web and identifies them as primary producers.
  • Describes phytoplankton as feeding organisms across trophic levels, linking primary production to ocean food chains.
Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 3: MAJOR BIOMES > Food Chains in Marine Biomes > p. 33
Presence: 4/5
“Te food chains in the ocean water are much more complex than that of the terrestrial biomes as there is no efective barrier in the oceans and seas which can restrict fauna and fora to certain fxed localities. Te phytoplanktons are the primary producers in the photic zone (up to a depth of 200 m from the sea surface). Te primary producers (planktons) provide directly or indirectly, food to all the plant and animal communities of the oceans. Zooplanktons are the heterotrophic primary consumer animals and form trophic level two of the food chain because these feed on phytoplanktons. Phytoplanktons manufacture food through the process of photosynthesis because of the availability of sunlight during daytime.”
Why this source?
  • Specifies phytoplanktons are primary producers in the photic zone of the ocean.
  • Notes primary producers (planktons) provide food directly or indirectly to all marine plant and animal communities.
Statement analysis

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Statement 3
Are diatoms primary producers in the food chains of oceans?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 5/5
"one of the major primary producers in the ocean, responsible annually for ~20% of photosynthetically fixed CO2 on Earth. In oceanic models, they are typically represented as large (>20 µm) microphytoplankton. However, many diatoms belong to the nanophytoplankton (2–20 µm)"
Why this source?
  • Explicitly identifies diatoms as a major group responsible for primary production in the ocean.
  • Quantifies their importance (≈20% of photosynthetically fixed CO2), showing a primary-producer role.
  • States many diatoms are part of phytoplankton size-classes (nano- and microphytoplankton), linking them to primary producers.
Web source
Presence: 4/5
"they also play a crucial role in the food chains and food webs, as phytoplankton represent the primary producers of organic matter and zooplankton are the link between the phytoplankton and higher trophic levels. In addition, plankton play a crucial role in the biogeochemical cycle of numerous chemical elements in the ocean."
Why this source?
  • States that phytoplankton represent the primary producers of organic matter in ocean food chains and food webs.
  • Explains phytoplankton provide food for a wide range of sea creatures, showing their base role in marine food chains.

Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 3: MAJOR BIOMES > Food Chains in Marine Biomes > p. 33
Strength: 5/5
“Te food chains in the ocean water are much more complex than that of the terrestrial biomes as there is no efective barrier in the oceans and seas which can restrict fauna and fora to certain fxed localities. Te phytoplanktons are the primary producers in the photic zone (up to a depth of 200 m from the sea surface). Te primary producers (planktons) provide directly or indirectly, food to all the plant and animal communities of the oceans. Zooplanktons are the heterotrophic primary consumer animals and form trophic level two of the food chain because these feed on phytoplanktons. Phytoplanktons manufacture food through the process of photosynthesis because of the availability of sunlight during daytime.”
Why relevant

States that phytoplanktons are the primary producers in the photic zone and provide food to all marine communities.

How to extend

A student could check whether diatoms are a major group within phytoplankton (using a standard biology source) to infer their likely role as primary producers.

Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 30: Climatic Regions > Geographical advantage > p. 465
Strength: 5/5
“• Phytoplankton, algae and other plants (primary producers) are able to photosynthesise to produce organic material from inorganic nutrients. And the organic material forms the building block for all animals higher up in the marine food chain.• Almost all biomass in the ocean is derived from the phytoplankton and to a lesser extent the benthic algae (found on the bottom of a sea or lake; algae are insignificant players in the marine ecosystem compared to the phytoplankton as they only inhabit a narrow zone around the coast). Hence phytoplankton are called the grass of the sea.• There is a fundamental problem that phytoplankton in the open ocean face.”
Why relevant

Explicitly calls phytoplankton and algae primary producers and notes most ocean biomass is derived from phytoplankton.

How to extend

Use the general rule that members of phytoplankton/algal groups are autotrophs; verify if diatoms are classified among phytoplankton/algae.

Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 2: Functions of an Ecosystem > i) Grazing food chain > p. 12
Strength: 4/5
“The consumers which start the food chain, utilizing the plant or plant part as their food, constitute the grazing food chain. This food chain begins from green plants at the base and the primary consumer is herbivore. For example, In terestrial ecosystem, grass is eaten up. by caterpillar, which is eaten by lizard and lizard is eaten by snake. In Aquatic ecosystem phytoplanktons (primary producers) is eaten by zoo planktons which is eaten by fishes and fishes are eaten by pelicans.”
Why relevant

Gives a food-chain example in aquatic ecosystems where phytoplankton (primary producers) are eaten by zooplankton and so on.

How to extend

A student can place any organism identified as phytoplankton into this food-chain role; confirm whether diatoms occupy that trophic position.

Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 14: Marine Organisms > The food web > p. 208
Strength: 4/5
“rti7 ;It r Phytoplanktons are the foundation of the aquatic food web, the primary producers; they feed everything from microscopic animal-like zooplankton to whales. Small fish and invertebrates graze on the phytoplanktons, and then those smaller animals are eaten by bigger ones.”
Why relevant

Describes phytoplankton as the foundation of the aquatic food web feeding organisms up to whales, highlighting their central producer role.

How to extend

Treating diatoms as a subset of phytoplankton (if supported by outside taxonomy) would imply they function as these foundational producers.

Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 33: Ocean temperature and salinity > How Do Deep Water Marine Organisms Survive In Spite Of The Absence Of Sunlight? > p. 511
Strength: 3/5
“• Photic zone (the zone that receives sunlight) is only about a few hundred meters. It depends on a lot of factors like turbidity, the presence of algae etc. There are not enough primary producers below the photic zone to the ocean bottom.• At the sea bottom, there are bacteria that make use of heat supplied by the earth's interior to prepare food. So, they are the primary producers at the depths. Other organisms feed on these primary producers and subsequent secondary producers. So, the heat from the earth supports wide-ranging deep water marine organisms.”
Why relevant

Defines the photic zone as the layer with enough light for primary producers and notes lack of primary producers below it.

How to extend

A student can check where diatoms live (e.g., in sunlit surface waters) to see if they occupy the photic-zone producer niche described here.

Statement analysis

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Statement 4
Are foraminifera primary producers in the food chains of oceans?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 5/5
"phytoplankton represent the primary producers of organic matter"
Why this source?
  • Explicitly names phytoplankton as the organisms that "represent the primary producers of organic matter" in ocean food chains.
  • Shows primary producers are the base of pelagic food webs, implying producers are photosynthetic planktonic organisms rather than other groups.
Web source
Presence: 5/5
"one of the major primary producers in the ocean, responsible annually for ~20% of photosynthetically fixed CO2 on Earth."
Why this source?
  • Identifies diatoms as "one of the major primary producers in the ocean," highlighting photosynthetic microalgae as key producers.
  • Reinforces that primary producers in the ocean are photosynthetic algae (e.g., diatoms), not non-photosynthetic protozoans.
Web source
Presence: 4/5
"Primary producers (algae) in Arctic marine waters are dominated by small, solitary photosynthetic cells"
Why this source?
  • Defines primary producers (algae) as small, solitary photosynthetic cells (microalgae) in marine waters.
  • Emphasizes that primary producers are photosynthetic algae, supporting the view that producers are algal/phytoplankton groups rather than other taxa.

Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 1: Ecology > a) Primary producers - Autotrophs (self-nourishing) > p. 6
Strength: 5/5
“• Primary producers are basically green plants (and certain bacteria and algae). • They synthesise carbohydrate from simple inorganic raw materials like carbon dioxide and water in the presence of sunlight by the process of photosynthesis for themselves, and supply indirectly to other non-producers. • In terrestrial ecosystem, producers are basically herbaceous and woody plants, while in aquatic ecosystem producers are various species of microscopic algae.”
Why relevant

Gives the definitional rule: primary producers are 'green plants (and certain bacteria and algae)' that synthesise carbohydrates by photosynthesis.

How to extend

A student could check whether foraminifera perform photosynthesis themselves or are classified as algae/bacteria to judge if they meet this definition.

Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 3: MAJOR BIOMES > Food Chains in Marine Biomes > p. 33
Strength: 4/5
“Te food chains in the ocean water are much more complex than that of the terrestrial biomes as there is no efective barrier in the oceans and seas which can restrict fauna and fora to certain fxed localities. Te phytoplanktons are the primary producers in the photic zone (up to a depth of 200 m from the sea surface). Te primary producers (planktons) provide directly or indirectly, food to all the plant and animal communities of the oceans. Zooplanktons are the heterotrophic primary consumer animals and form trophic level two of the food chain because these feed on phytoplanktons. Phytoplanktons manufacture food through the process of photosynthesis because of the availability of sunlight during daytime.”
Why relevant

States that phytoplankton are the primary producers in the photic zone and that primary producers manufacture food by photosynthesis.

How to extend

Compare foraminifera's typical feeding mode and habitat (photic vs aphotic) to see if they function like phytoplankton producers.

Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 33: Ocean temperature and salinity > How Do Deep Water Marine Organisms Survive In Spite Of The Absence Of Sunlight? > p. 511
Strength: 4/5
“• Photic zone (the zone that receives sunlight) is only about a few hundred meters. It depends on a lot of factors like turbidity, the presence of algae etc. There are not enough primary producers below the photic zone to the ocean bottom.• At the sea bottom, there are bacteria that make use of heat supplied by the earth's interior to prepare food. So, they are the primary producers at the depths. Other organisms feed on these primary producers and subsequent secondary producers. So, the heat from the earth supports wide-ranging deep water marine organisms.”
Why relevant

Notes the photic zone constraint: 'There are not enough primary producers below the photic zone', and that deep primary production can be by chemosynthetic bacteria.

How to extend

Determine whether foraminifera live in photic depths or deep zones and whether any known production mechanism (photosynthesis/chemosynthesis) applies to them.

Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 30: Climatic Regions > Geographical advantage > p. 465
Strength: 4/5
“• Phytoplankton, algae and other plants (primary producers) are able to photosynthesise to produce organic material from inorganic nutrients. And the organic material forms the building block for all animals higher up in the marine food chain.• Almost all biomass in the ocean is derived from the phytoplankton and to a lesser extent the benthic algae (found on the bottom of a sea or lake; algae are insignificant players in the marine ecosystem compared to the phytoplankton as they only inhabit a narrow zone around the coast). Hence phytoplankton are called the grass of the sea.• There is a fundamental problem that phytoplankton in the open ocean face.”
Why relevant

Emphasises that 'almost all biomass in the ocean is derived from phytoplankton' and distinguishes phytoplankton/algae as the 'grass of the sea' (primary producers).

How to extend

Use this pattern to assess if foraminifera are commonly listed among phytoplankton/algae or instead grouped with consumers.

Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 2: Functions of an Ecosystem > i) Grazing food chain > p. 12
Strength: 4/5
“The consumers which start the food chain, utilizing the plant or plant part as their food, constitute the grazing food chain. This food chain begins from green plants at the base and the primary consumer is herbivore. For example, In terestrial ecosystem, grass is eaten up. by caterpillar, which is eaten by lizard and lizard is eaten by snake. In Aquatic ecosystem phytoplanktons (primary producers) is eaten by zoo planktons which is eaten by fishes and fishes are eaten by pelicans.”
Why relevant

Describes trophic roles in aquatic systems: phytoplankton are primary producers and zooplankton are primary consumers that feed on them.

How to extend

Check whether foraminifera are described in sources as consumers (e.g., feeding on phytoplankton) or as producers to infer their trophic role.

Statement analysis

This statement analysis shows book citations, web sources and indirect clues. The first statement (S1) is open for preview.

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Pattern takeaway: UPSC loves 'List-based' biology questions where you must filter categories (e.g., Nitrogen fixers, Detritivores, Primary Producers). The pattern is consistent: they mix standard textbook examples (Cyanobacteria) with slightly more technical terms (Foraminifera) to test if your reading was superficial or specific.
How you should have studied
  1. [THE VERDICT]: Sitter. Source: Shankar IAS Chapter 14 (Marine Organisms) explicitly lists Cyanobacteria and Diatoms as common kinds of phytoplankton (producers).
  2. [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: Functions of an Ecosystem > Energy Flow > Trophic Levels. The fundamental split between Autotrophs (Self-feeders) and Heterotrophs (Other-feeders).
  3. [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Memorize the 'Big 5' Marine Producers: Diatoms, Cyanobacteria (Blue-green algae), Dinoflagellates, Coccolithophores, and Green Algae. Memorize the 'Big 3' Zooplankton (Consumers): Copepods, Krill, and Foraminifera (Protozoans).
  4. [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: When reading Ecology chapters, never stop at definitions. The exam asks for *examples*, not definitions. Create a T-chart for every ecosystem (Marine, Terrestrial, Freshwater): Who makes the food? Who eats it?
How to study

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Concept hooks from this question
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Phytoplankton as the primary producers in marine food webs
💡 The insight

Phytoplankton are the autotrophic base that fix solar energy and form the first trophic level in oceanic food chains.

High-yield concept for questions on energy flow, primary productivity and marine fisheries; links to topics like biomass distribution and global carbon cycling. Mastery helps answer questions on what supports higher trophic levels and why marine productivity concentrates in the upper layers.

📚 Reading List :
  • Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 3: MAJOR BIOMES > Food Chains in Marine Biomes > p. 33
  • Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 30: Climatic Regions > Geographical advantage > p. 465
  • Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 14: Marine Organisms > The food web > p. 208
🔗 Anchor: "Are copepods primary producers in the food chains of oceans?"
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Zooplankton as primary consumers (trophic level two)
💡 The insight

Zooplankton feed on phytoplankton and occupy the second trophic level, transferring primary production to higher consumers.

Important for questions on trophic transfers, fish stock determinants, and impacts of pollutants on food webs; connects ecology to fisheries and conservation topics. Understanding this clarifies why animal plankton (not crustacean producers) are heterotrophs.

📚 Reading List :
  • Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 3: MAJOR BIOMES > Food Chains in Marine Biomes > p. 33
  • Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 2: Functions of an Ecosystem > i) Grazing food chain > p. 12
  • Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 14: Marine Organisms > 14.3. ZOOPLANKTON > p. 209
🔗 Anchor: "Are copepods primary producers in the food chains of oceans?"
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Photic zone controls the spatial limit of photosynthetic primary production
💡 The insight

Photosynthetic primary producers are confined mainly to the photic zone where sunlight penetrates, limiting where autotrophic biomass can form.

Useful for questions on zonation in the ocean, deep-sea ecosystems versus surface productivity, and regional variations in productivity; connects physical oceanography (light penetration) with biological productivity and ecosystem services.

📚 Reading List :
  • Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 3: MAJOR BIOMES > Food Chains in Marine Biomes > p. 33
  • Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 33: Ocean temperature and salinity > How Do Deep Water Marine Organisms Survive In Spite Of The Absence Of Sunlight? > p. 511
🔗 Anchor: "Are copepods primary producers in the food chains of oceans?"
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Phytoplankton as marine primary producers
💡 The insight

Phytoplankton form the base of oceanic food chains as the primary producers that convert sunlight to organic matter.

High-yield for environment and ecology questions: explains where marine productivity originates, underpins fisheries and carbon cycling topics, and links to questions on food webs and resource management.

📚 Reading List :
  • Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 3: MAJOR BIOMES > Food Chains in Marine Biomes > p. 33
  • Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 14: Marine Organisms > The food web > p. 208
  • Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 30: Climatic Regions > Geographical advantage > p. 465
🔗 Anchor: "Are cyanobacteria primary producers in the food chains of oceans?"
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Cyanobacteria as a phytoplankton group
💡 The insight

Cyanobacteria are a constituent group of phytoplankton and thus contribute to marine primary production.

Useful for questions on biodiversity, primary production, and biogeochemical roles (oxygen production, nitrogen fixation); helps answer organism-level and ecosystem-level queries in GS papers.

📚 Reading List :
  • Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 14: Marine Organisms > 14.2 PHYTOPLANKTON > p. 207
🔗 Anchor: "Are cyanobacteria primary producers in the food chains of oceans?"
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Photic zone controls on marine primary production
💡 The insight

Primary producers in oceans are concentrated in the photic zone where sunlight permits photosynthesis.

Explains spatial distribution of marine productivity and links to topics on deep-sea ecosystems, chemosynthesis, and limits to fisheries; commonly tested in physical geography and ecology contexts.

📚 Reading List :
  • Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 3: MAJOR BIOMES > Food Chains in Marine Biomes > p. 33
  • Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 33: Ocean temperature and salinity > How Do Deep Water Marine Organisms Survive In Spite Of The Absence Of Sunlight? > p. 511
🔗 Anchor: "Are cyanobacteria primary producers in the food chains of oceans?"
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S3
👉 Phytoplankton as marine primary producers
💡 The insight

Phytoplankton are the autotrophic base of oceanic food chains, fixing solar energy into organic matter.

High-yield for ecology and GS papers because it explains the origin of marine biomass and underpins questions on fisheries, carbon cycling and marine productivity. Connects to topics on primary production, marine resources and food security; useful for questions that ask about drivers of oceanic food webs or causes of fishery collapses.

📚 Reading List :
  • Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 3: MAJOR BIOMES > Food Chains in Marine Biomes > p. 33
  • Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 30: Climatic Regions > Geographical advantage > p. 465
  • Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 14: Marine Organisms > The food web > p. 208
🔗 Anchor: "Are diatoms primary producers in the food chains of oceans?"
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🌑 The Hidden Trap

Dinoflagellates and Coccolithophores. These are the 'siblings' of Diatoms often mentioned in the same paragraph. Expect a question on 'Red Tides' (caused by Dinoflagellates) or 'Ocean Acidification impacts' (Coccolithophores have calcium carbonate shells).

⚡ Elimination Cheat Code

Etymology Hack: 'Copepod' ends in 'pod' (meaning foot, like Tripod or Arthropod). Feet imply movement/animals. Animals are consumers, not producers. Eliminate Option 1. You are left with B or C. Between Cyanobacteria (Bacteria = usually decomposer, BUT 'Cyano' = Blue-Green = Photosynthesis) and Foraminifera (complex name, shell-building protozoa), Cyanobacteria is the classic textbook producer.

🔗 Mains Connection

Link this to GS3 Environment (Climate Change): Diatoms and Cyanobacteria are the 'Biological Pump' of the ocean. They sequester carbon. If they die due to warming, the ocean stops absorbing CO2, accelerating climate change. This is a perfect intro point for a Mains answer on Blue Carbon.

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SIMILAR QUESTIONS

IAS · 2012 · Q36 Relevance score: 2.17

Consider the following kinds of organism: 1. Bacteria 2. Fungi 3. Flowering plants Some species of which of the above kinds of organisms are employed as biopesticides?

IAS · 2012 · Q16 Relevance score: 1.48

Consider the following kinds of organisms : 1. Bat 2. Bee 3. Bird Which of the above is/are pollinating agent/agents?

IAS · 2024 · Q18 Relevance score: 1.44

Consider the following : 1. Carabid beetles 2. Centipedes 3. Flies 4. Termites 5. Wasps Parasitoid species are found in how many of the above kind of organisms ?

IAS · 2013 · Q8 Relevance score: 0.58

Consider the following organisms: 1. Agaricus 2. Nostoc 3. Spirogyra Which of the above is/are used as biofertilizer / biofertilizers?

CDS-I · 2002 · Q68 Relevance score: 0.09

Consider the following statements regarding different types of animals: 1. Cnidarians are acoelomate 2. All sponges (Porifera) are marineare marine 3. Flatworms (Platyhelminthes) can produce asexually 4. In arthropods, fertilisation is always internal. Which of these statements is/are correct?