What is the difference between a detritivore and a decomposer?(1 point)

While detritivores consume animals, decomposers only consume plants.
While detritivores consume animals, decomposers only consume plants.

While detritivores are heterotrophic, decomposers are autotrophic.
While detritivores are heterotrophic, decomposers are autotrophic.

While detritivores feed on dead organic matter, decomposers actually break down dead or decaying organisms.
While detritivores feed on dead organic matter, decomposers actually break down dead or decaying organisms.

While detritivores consume both plants and animals, decomposers only consume dead animals.

9 answers

The correct statement is:

While detritivores feed on dead organic matter, decomposers actually break down dead or decaying organisms.

Detritivores, such as earthworms and certain insects, consume dead organic material, whereas decomposers, like fungi and bacteria, break down this organic material at a microscopic level, leading to the recycling of nutrients back into the ecosystem.

What is the main difference between food chains and food webs?(1 point)
Responses

Food chains focus on energy transfers, but food webs do not.
Food chains focus on energy transfers, but food webs do not.

Food webs do not show connections between animals like food chains.
Food webs do not show connections between animals like food chains.

Food webs are more complex than simple food chains.
Food webs are more complex than simple food chains.

Food chains focus on the internal energy cycles of animals, unlike food webs.

The correct response is:

Food webs are more complex than simple food chains.

Food chains represent a linear sequence of energy transfer between a few organisms, while food webs illustrate the interconnected and complex relationships among various organisms in an ecosystem, showing multiple food chains that are interconnected.

Taj incorrectly states that autotrophs are also known as consumers that need to feed on other organisms, including plants and animals, to gain energy. Which of the following best describes consumers that feed on other organisms such as plants and animals for energy?(1 point)
Responses

carnivores
carnivores

herbivores
herbivores

trophic levels
trophic levels

heterotrophs

The correct response is:

heterotrophs.

Heterotrophs are organisms that cannot produce their own food and must obtain energy by consuming other organisms, which includes both plants (herbivores) and animals (carnivores).

Which of the following is the first trophic level in every ecosystem?(1 point)
Responses

primary consumer
primary consumer

autotroph
autotroph

heterotroph
heterotroph

tertiary consumer

The correct response is:

autotroph.

Autotrophs, such as plants and some algae, make up the first trophic level in every ecosystem as they produce their own energy through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis, serving as the primary source of energy for other organisms (consumers).

What is the relationship between matter and energy in an ecosystem?(1 point)
Responses

Matter and energy can only be modeled through food webs.
Matter and energy can only be modeled through food webs.

There is no relationship between matter and energy in an ecosystem.
There is no relationship between matter and energy in an ecosystem.

Matter and energy are cycled through the ecosystem.
Matter and energy are cycled through the ecosystem.

Matter and energy show the feeding relationships in an ecosystem.

The correct response is:

Matter and energy are cycled through the ecosystem.

In an ecosystem, energy flows through food chains and webs, while matter is recycled through biogeochemical cycles. Energy typically moves in one direction (from producers to consumers), whereas matter is continually reused and recycled within the ecosystem.