ECOLOGY
ENERGY FLOW AND THE FOOD CHAIN
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Question
[CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER]
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organism that obtains energy from sunlight
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organism that obtains energy from eating autotrophs
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organism that obtains energy from breaking down dead or decaying matter
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organism that obtains energy from eating both plants and animals
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Detailed explanation-1: -Autotrophs are eaten by herbivores, organisms that consume plants. Herbivores are the second trophic level. Carnivores, creatures that eat meat, and omnivores, creatures that eat all types of organisms, are the third trophic level.
Detailed explanation-2: -Thus, heterotrophs – all animals, almost all fungi, as well as most bacteria and protozoa – depend on autotrophs, or primary producers, for the raw materials and fuel they need. Heterotrophs obtain energy by breaking down carbohydrates or oxidizing organic molecules (carbohydrates, fats, and proteins) obtained in food.
Detailed explanation-3: -Autotrophs, such as plants and algae, occupy the first trophic level. The second level is occupied by herbivores (organisms that devour plants). The third level is occupied by carnivores (organisms that consume meat) and omnivores (organisms that eat both plants and meat).
Detailed explanation-4: -The food chain begins with the sun: plants get their energy by photosynthesizing sunlight into energy, and then herbivores eat those plants to get their energy. Carnivores who then eat the herbivores are getting that sunlight passed along from sun to plant to herbivore to carnivore.
Detailed explanation-5: -Both primary (herbivores) and secondary (carnivores and omnivores) consumers are heterotrophs, while primary producers are autotrophs.