AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -This allows them to synthesise the food they need for their growth and survival, through a process called photosynthesis. All animals depend directly or indirectly on plants for energy. Algae are photosynthetic just like plants. Hence they occupy the bottom position of the aquatic food chain.

Detailed explanation-2: -The food chain of a pond can include algae (producer), small animals, insects, and their larvae, small fish, big fish, and a fish-eating bird. Algae ⇢ insects ⇢ fish ⇢ hawk. Phytoplankton ⇢ zooplankton ⇢ small fish ⇢ large fish ⇢ whale, are some of the examples of the aquatic food chain.

Detailed explanation-3: -In a grassland ecosystem, a grasshopper might eat grass, a producer. The grasshopper might get eaten by a rat, which in turn is consumed by a snake. Finally, a hawk-an apex predator-swoops down and snatches up the snake. In a pond, the autotroph might be algae.

Detailed explanation-4: -Producers. Primary producers-including bacteria, phytoplankton, and algae-form the lowest trophic level, the base of the aquatic food web. Primary producers synthesize their own energy without needing to eat.

Detailed explanation-5: -Fish are also important in the balance of nature. They eat plants and animals and, in turn, become food for plants and animals. This is called the food chain.