Before You Begin
Question #46047
The Question
Paul Ehrlich’s 'Rivet Popper Hypothesis' compares ecosystem stability to an airplane's structural integrity. If the extinction of Species 'X' causes a sudden, non-linear collapse of the ecosystem, whereas the extinction of Species 'Y' causes only a negligible change in ecosystem function, which of the following statements is scientifically accurate regarding these species?
Options
- A.
Species 'X' represents a rivet on the airplane seat, whose loss triggers obligate co-extinctions, while Species 'Y' represents a wing rivet.
- B.
Species 'X' is a keystone species analogous to a wing rivet, whose removal disrupts obligate mutualistic networks, leading to a cascade of co-extinctions.
- C.
Species 'X' is a dominant species with high relative abundance, proving that ecosystem collapse is always directly proportional to the biomass lost.
- D.
Species 'Y' is an alien species whose removal enhances ecosystem stability, analogous to adding new rivets to the airplane wing.
Check Your Answer
Correct Answer
Step-by-Step Solution
Explanation
How the Examiner Thinks
Regulatory_Failure
Understand how NOT, EXCEPT, and logical constraints are used to manipulate exam results.
Concepts Behind This Question
Biosphere Reserves|Endemism|Regression Scaling
Why This Question Is Tricky
Common Mistakes
Conceptual Pivot: Distinguishing between the gradual loss of redundant species (seat rivets) and the catastrophic, non-linear threshold effect of losing a keystone species (wing rivets), specifically linking it to the NCERT concept of 'Co-extinction'.
Common Misconception: Students often assume ecosystem degradation is always a linear process proportional to biomass lost, confusing dominant species with keystone species.
Quick Facts About This Question
Question Information
| Subject | Biology |
| Chapter | Biodiversity and Conservation - Class 12 |
| Concept | Z-value in Large Areas |
| Difficulty | 8 |
| Cognitive Load | 5 |
| Target Solve Time | 120 sec |
| Access | Free |