AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Lions are the apex predator of the African savanna. They play the critical role of managing large herbivore populations of buffalos, impalas, zebras, and even elephants and giraffes. In a balanced ecosystem, the number of herbivores needs to be kept in check.

Detailed explanation-2: -Lions are a tertiary predator. They are at the top of the food chain in the African savanna. Lions mainly eat grazing animals, like zebras, antelope, wildebeests and occasionally elephants. However, they also are known to go after secondary consumers, like baby hippos and crocodiles.

Detailed explanation-3: -Heterotrophs are known as consumers because they consume producers or other consumers. Dogs, birds, fish, and humans are all examples of heterotrophs. Heterotrophs occupy the second and third levels in a food chain, a sequence of organisms that provide energy and nutrients for other organisms.