Question

The overall flow of energy through an ecosystem is from
A.
herbivores to photosynthetic organisms to carnivores and decomposers.
B.
carnivores to photosynthetic organisms to herbivores and decomposers.
C.
photosynthetic organisms to herbivores to carnivores and decomposers.
D.
decomposers to herbivores to photosynthetic organisms and carnivores.

Answers

GPT-4o mini
The correct answer is **C. photosynthetic organisms to herbivores to carnivores and decomposers**.

In an ecosystem, energy typically flows from primary producers (photosynthetic organisms, like plants) to primary consumers (herbivores) and then to secondary consumers (carnivores). Decomposers break down dead organic matter, returning nutrients to the ecosystem, but they do not serve as a primary pathway for energy flow.