Question

This food web reveals that, as matter flows through trophic levels,

matter from consumers, such as the green lynx spider, is eventually recycled by decomposers, such as a fungus.


matter from producers, such as the cutleaf daisy, is immediately recycled by decomposers, such as a bacterium.


matters from all organisms, such as the Bald eagle, is dissipated at each level and none of it is recycled.


matter from the Sun is recycled after many years by consumers, such as a Bachman's sparrow.

Answers

GPT-4o mini
The food web indicates that matter flows through various trophic levels, where it is ultimately recycled by decomposers. Here's a breakdown of the statements:

1. **Matter from consumers, such as the green lynx spider, is eventually recycled by decomposers, such as a fungus.** - This statement is true. Decomposers break down dead organic matter from consumers and return nutrients to the soil, facilitating the nutrient cycle.

2. **Matter from producers, such as the cutleaf daisy, is immediately recycled by decomposers, such as a bacterium.** - This statement is also true. When producers die or are consumed, their matter is broken down by decomposers, allowing nutrients to be reused in the ecosystem.

3. **Matters from all organisms, such as the Bald eagle, is dissipated at each level and none of it is recycled.** - This statement is incorrect. While some energy is lost at each trophic level (as heat, for example), matter is indeed recycled through decomposers.

4. **Matter from the Sun is recycled after many years by consumers, such as a Bachman's sparrow.** - This statement is misleading. While sunlight provides energy for producers to create matter (through photosynthesis), matter itself does not come directly from the Sun but is created by producers. The recycling aspect mainly pertains to the organic matter produced by those plants and passed through the food web.

In summary, the first two statements correctly describe the recycling of matter in an ecosystem, while the last two have inaccuracies regarding the recycling process.