Multiple Choice
Which of the following best describes the role of abiotic factors, such as water, in an ecosystem's food chain?
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48. Ecology
Introduction to Ecology
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In an ecosystem, how do primary consumers benefit plants?
A
They increase the rate of photosynthesis in plants.
B
They convert atmospheric nitrogen into a form usable by plants.
C
They provide shade that protects plants from excessive sunlight.
D
They help disperse plant seeds through their feces.
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand the role of primary consumers in an ecosystem. Primary consumers are herbivores that feed on plants and play a crucial role in nutrient cycling and seed dispersal.
Recognize that plants rely on various mechanisms for seed dispersal to ensure their reproduction and spread across the ecosystem. Animals, including primary consumers, are one of these mechanisms.
Learn how primary consumers contribute to seed dispersal. When they consume fruits or other plant materials containing seeds, the seeds often pass through their digestive system unharmed.
Understand that after digestion, the seeds are excreted in the feces of the primary consumers. This process helps distribute the seeds to new locations, often far from the parent plant.
Conclude that the correct answer is: 'They help disperse plant seeds through their feces,' as this is a direct benefit plants receive from primary consumers in the ecosystem.
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