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Multiple Choice
In a food chain, the first organism must always be which type of organism?
A
Decomposer
B
Producer (autotroph)
C
Primary consumer (herbivore)
D
Secondary consumer (carnivore)
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the concept of a food chain: A food chain represents the flow of energy and nutrients through different organisms in an ecosystem, starting with the base level and moving upward.
Recognize the role of producers (autotrophs): Producers are organisms, such as plants, algae, and some bacteria, that can create their own food through processes like photosynthesis or chemosynthesis. They form the base of the food chain by converting sunlight or chemical energy into usable energy.
Identify why producers are essential: Producers are the first organisms in a food chain because they provide the energy source for all other organisms. Without producers, there would be no energy input into the ecosystem for consumers to rely on.
Differentiate between other types of organisms: Decomposers break down dead organic matter, primary consumers (herbivores) eat producers, and secondary consumers (carnivores) eat primary consumers. None of these can initiate the food chain because they depend on producers for energy.
Conclude that the first organism in a food chain must always be a producer (autotroph), as they are the only organisms capable of generating energy directly from non-living sources like sunlight or chemicals.