Question

how are gross production and net production different?
a. net production is always greater than gross production.
b. net production is always less than gross production.
c. only animals have net production.
d. only plants have net production.

Explanation:

Gross production refers to the total amount of energy or biomass produced by an organism or a group of organisms. Net production is calculated by subtracting the energy or biomass used for respiration (maintaining life processes) from the gross production. Since respiration consumes some of the produced energy/biomass, net production ($\text{Net Production}=\text{Gross Production}-\text{Respiration}$) is always less than gross production. Both plants (producers) and animals (consumers) have gross and net production concepts. For example, plants have gross primary production (total energy from photosynthesis) and net primary production (after accounting for respiration). Animals have gross secondary production (energy from food intake) and net secondary production (after accounting for metabolic losses like respiration).

Answer:

B. Net production is always less than gross production.