Assertion (A) : If the lions are removed from a food chain it will not affect the food chain, however if the plants are removed from a food chain it will disturb the ecosystem.

Reason (R) : Plants are producers who can make food using sunlight, while lions are consumers.

options

1. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
2. Both A and R are true, and R is not the correct explanation of A.
3. A is true but R is false.
4. A is false but R is true.

A is false but R is true.

Reason —

Assertion (A) is false because if lions (top carnivores) are removed from a food chain, the immediate effect may not collapse the entire chain, but over time it will disturb the ecological balance—for example, herbivore populations may increase uncontrollably.

However, if plants are removed, the entire food chain breaks down, as they are the primary source of energy for all organisms.

Therefore, while the statement recognizes plants' importance, it is incorrect to say removing lions has no effect on the food chain.

Reason (R) is true because plants are producers, capable of photosynthesis, converting sunlight into food energy and serving as the foundation for all trophic levels while lions, on the other hand, are consumers, dependent on other organisms for energy.

Hence, (A) is false, but (R) is true.