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Multiple Choice
In a typical terrestrial food web, which organisms can function as both secondary and tertiary consumers depending on their diet?
A
Decomposers
B
Herbivores
C
Primary producers
D
Omnivores
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the roles of organisms in a food web: Primary producers are organisms like plants and algae that produce energy through photosynthesis. Herbivores are primary consumers that feed on primary producers. Secondary and tertiary consumers are organisms that feed on primary consumers and other secondary consumers, respectively.
Recognize the definition of omnivores: Omnivores are organisms that consume both plant material and animal material, allowing them to occupy multiple trophic levels in a food web.
Analyze how omnivores can function as secondary consumers: When omnivores consume herbivores (primary consumers), they act as secondary consumers in the food web.
Analyze how omnivores can function as tertiary consumers: When omnivores consume secondary consumers (organisms that eat herbivores), they act as tertiary consumers in the food web.
Conclude that omnivores are versatile in their diet, enabling them to function as both secondary and tertiary consumers depending on the specific organisms they consume within the food web.