Multiple Choice
Which term describes each step in a food chain that demonstrates the transfer of energy?
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48. Ecology
Introduction to Ecology
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Which of the following organisms is most likely to be a primary consumer in a desert ecosystem?
A
Kangaroo rat
B
Sidewinder rattlesnake
C
Cactus (Opuntia)
D
Desert hawk
Verified step by step guidance1
Step 1: Understand the concept of a primary consumer. Primary consumers are organisms that feed directly on producers (plants or autotrophs). They are herbivores in the food chain.
Step 2: Identify the producers in a desert ecosystem. Producers are typically plants, such as cacti, shrubs, and grasses, which use photosynthesis to create energy.
Step 3: Analyze the given options. Determine which organism feeds directly on producers. For example, kangaroo rats are known to consume seeds and plant material, making them herbivores.
Step 4: Exclude organisms that do not fit the definition of primary consumers. For instance, sidewinder rattlesnakes and desert hawks are carnivores, feeding on other animals, not plants. Cactus is a producer, not a consumer.
Step 5: Conclude that the kangaroo rat is the most likely primary consumer in the desert ecosystem, as it directly feeds on plant material.
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