Explanation
- A
1 and 2
1 and 2. Copepods are consumers, not primary producers.
- B
2 and 3
2 and 3. Cyanobacteria and diatoms photosynthesise. Foraminifera and copepods graze or heterotroph.
- C
3 and 4
3 and 4. Forams are not the ocean’s primary producers as a class.
- D
1 and 4
1 and 4. Both are mainly consumers.
Summary. Official key is (b) 2 and 3. Ocean primary production is phytoplankton: cyanobacteria and diatoms. Copepods are zooplankton; foraminifera are mostly heterotrophic protists.
Same topic · past papers
UPSC has asked this before
These previous-year questions sit on the same topic. Open one to practise the earlier ask.
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