Chapter 42, Problem 1TYU

Summary Introduction

Introduction:

The relationship among living organisms related to energy sources is organized into different trophic levels. Organisms that utilize the sunlight energy to produce their food are known as producers. Organisms that obtain their food from the primary producers are known as primary consumers. Further, organisms that depend on the primary consumers for their food requirements are known as secondary consumers. The detritivores or decomposers are organisms that obtain their food from the dead and decaying matter.

Answer to Problem 1TYU

Correct answer:

The zooplankton is incorrectly matched with its tropic level. As the zooplankton is a detritivore, it can be considered as a primary or a secondary consumer. Therefore, option (C) is correct.

Explanation of Solution

Reasons for the correct statement:

Zooplanktons are a group of organisms and are detritivore in nature. They feed on other organisms for the requirement of food. They mainly feed on bacterioplankton and phytoplankton. The primary producers are referred to as organisms, which prepare food on their own.

Option (C) is given as “zooplankton-primary producer”.

“The zooplankton is matched with primary producer”; hence, it the correct answer.

Hence, option (C) is correct.

Reasons for the incorrect statements:

Option (A) is given as “cyanobacterium—primary producer”.

The cyanobacterium is the aquatic bacterium that performs the process of photosynthesis to obtain its energy. The cyanobacterium is included in the category of the primary producer. Hence, it is the wrong answer.

Option (B) is given as “grasshopper—primary consumer”.

The grasshopper is an organism that feeds on plants. It is a primary consumer. Hence, it is the wrong answer.

Option (D) is given as “fungus—detritivore”.

The fungal species fall into the category of decomposers or detritivores. Hence, it is the wrong answer.

Hence, options (A), (B), and (D) are incorrect.

Conclusion

The zooplankton feeds on dead organic matter and small organisms, which perform photosynthesis, like phytoplankton. Hence, the zooplankton is a detritivore, primary, or a secondary consumer.