Multiple Choice
Which statement best describes a recurring theme about today's ecological environment?
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48. Ecology
Introduction to Ecology
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Which of the following best describes the role of a primary consumer in a food web?
A
An organism that preys on secondary consumers
B
An organism that produces its own food through photosynthesis
C
An organism that breaks down dead organic matter
D
An organism that eats producers such as plants or algae
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand the concept of a food web: A food web is a network of interconnected food chains that shows how energy and nutrients flow through an ecosystem. Organisms are categorized into trophic levels based on their role in the ecosystem.
Define the term 'primary consumer': Primary consumers are organisms that feed directly on producers (organisms that create their own food, such as plants or algae, through photosynthesis). They are herbivores and occupy the second trophic level in a food web.
Eliminate incorrect options: Review the provided choices and eliminate those that do not match the definition of a primary consumer. For example, secondary consumers prey on primary consumers, producers create their own food, and decomposers break down dead organic matter.
Identify the correct option: The correct description of a primary consumer is 'An organism that eats producers such as plants or algae,' as this matches the definition of a primary consumer in a food web.
Relate the concept to real-world examples: Examples of primary consumers include herbivores like deer, rabbits, and certain types of fish that feed on algae or aquatic plants. This helps reinforce the understanding of their role in the ecosystem.
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