Question

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Biological Factors Quick Check
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Question
What happens to an ecosystem when the primary consumers disappear?(1 point)
Responses

Both the producer and secondary consumer populations increase.
Both the producer and secondary consumer populations increase.

The producer population increases, while the secondary consumer population decreases.
The producer population increases, while the secondary consumer population decreases.

The producer population decreases, while the secondary consumer population increases.
The producer population decreases, while the secondary consumer population increases.

Both the producer and secondary consumer populations decrease.
Both the producer and secondary consumer populations decrease.
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Answer 1

When primary consumers disappear from an ecosystem, the dynamics of the food chain are significantly affected. Without primary consumers, which typically feed on producers (plants), the following can be expected:

1. **Producers** (plants) would likely flourish since there would be no herbivores to consume them. This means that the producer population would increase.
2. **Secondary consumers** (which eat primary consumers) would face a decrease in available food sources. As a result, their population would likely decrease as well.

Based on these considerations, the correct response would be:

**The producer population increases, while the secondary consumer population decreases.**