Question

A small fish eats part of a plant and then is eaten by a larger fish. The larger fish is then eaten by a shark. What situation has occurred?

A) A primary consumer is eaten by a secondary consumer which is then eaten by a tertiary consumer. The tertiary consumer is then eaten by a producer.
B) A producer is eaten by a primary consumer which is then eaten by a secondary consumer. The secondary consumer is then decomposed by a decomposer.
C) A producer is eaten by a primary consumer which is then eaten by a secondary consumer. The secondary consumer is then eaten by a tertiary consumer.
D) A producer is eaten by a primary consumer which is then decomposed by a decomposer. The decomposer then becomes a producer.

Answer 1

The correct situation that has occurred is:

C) A producer is eaten by a primary consumer which is then eaten by a secondary consumer. The secondary consumer is then eaten by a tertiary consumer.

In this scenario:
- The plant is a producer (it makes its own food through photosynthesis).
- The small fish is a primary consumer (it eats the plant).
- The larger fish is a secondary consumer (it eats the small fish).
- The shark is a tertiary consumer (it eats the larger fish).