Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first video
Multiple Choice
What is the role of decomposers in a food web?
A
They are top predators that control herbivore populations.
B
They are primary consumers that feed on plants.
C
They produce energy through photosynthesis.
D
They break down dead organisms and recycle nutrients.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the concept of a food web: A food web is a complex network of interconnected food chains in an ecosystem, showing how different organisms are related through feeding relationships.
Identify the role of decomposers: Decomposers are organisms, such as bacteria and fungi, that break down dead organic matter, including plants and animals, into simpler substances.
Recognize the importance of nutrient recycling: Decomposers play a crucial role in recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem, making them available for producers like plants to use for growth.
Differentiate decomposers from other trophic levels: Unlike producers that create energy through photosynthesis or consumers that eat other organisms, decomposers obtain energy by breaking down dead material.
Conclude the role of decomposers: By breaking down dead organisms, decomposers help maintain the flow of nutrients in the ecosystem, supporting the growth of producers and sustaining the food web.