Biology: The Dynamic Science
Biology: The Dynamic Science
4th Edition
ISBN: 9781337246422
Author: Peter J. Russell; Paul E. Hertz; Beverly McMillan
Publisher: Cengage Learning US
bartleby

Concept explainers

bartleby

Videos

Question
Book Icon
Chapter 54, Problem 1TYK
Summary Introduction

Introduction:

Food chain is a path through which nutrients and energy move through the ecosystem. Food web is a network of linked/interconnected food chains in an ecosystem. Food web consists of trophic levels based on feeding habits of organisms. Primary producers form the first trophic level of food chain, herbivores form the second level, and carnivores feeding on herbivores are present on the third trophic level. Detritivores and decomposers link all trophic levels.

Expert Solution & Answer
Check Mark

Answer to Problem 1TYK

Correct answer:

When a robin catches and eats an earthworm, it will transfer the energy and nutrients from detritivores to the higher trophic level.

Explanation of Solution

Justification/explanation for the correct answer:

Option (c) states that when a robin catches and eats an earthworm, it transfers energy and nutrients from the detritivores level to the higher trophic level. This is correct because earthworm is a detritivore that feeds on wastes of other organisms. In the given case, Robin is a carnivorous bird and belongs to a higher trophic level. Thus, when a robin catches and eats an earthworm, energy and nutrients from a detritivore gets transferred to a higher trophic level. Hence, option (c) is correct.

Explanation for the incorrect answers:

Option (a) states that when a beetle eats the leaves of a living plant, it transfers energy and nutrients from the detritivores level to a higher trophic level. This is incorrect because living plants are the producers belonging to the first trophic level. When beetle eats the leaves of a living plant, energy and nutrients gets transferred from first trophic to the second trophic level. So, it is an incorrect option.

Option (b) states that when an earthworm eats dead leaves on the forest floor, it transfers energy and nutrients from the detritivores level to the higher trophic level. This is incorrect because here earthworm is getting energy and nutrients from dead leaves, which are wastes from plants or producers, and not from a detritivore. So, it is an incorrect option.

Option (d) states that when a falcon eats a robin, it transfers energy and nutrients from the detritivores level to a higher trophic level. This is incorrect because falcon is a carnivore that is, it gets energy and nutrients from robin, which is also a carnivore and not a detritivore. So, it is an incorrect option.

Option (e) states that when a bacterium decomposes the feces of an earthworm, it transfers energy and nutrients from the detritivores level to a higher trophic level. This is incorrect because the bacterium belongs to decomposers and is not a part of higher trophic level. So, it is an incorrect option.

Hence, options, (a), (b), (d), and (e) are incorrect.

Conclusion

Thus, it can be concluded that when a robin catches and eats an earthworm, energy and nutrients from a detritivore gets transferred to a higher trophic level. In this case, the earthworm is a detritivore, while the Robin is a carnivore.

Want to see more full solutions like this?

Subscribe now to access step-by-step solutions to millions of textbook problems written by subject matter experts!
Students have asked these similar questions
How much ATP will be produced during the following metabolic scenario: Aerobic respiration of a 5mM lipid solution that is made up of one glycerol and an 8-carbon fatty acid and 12-carbon fatty acid. Recall that when glycerol breaks down to Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate it costs one ATP but your get an extra FADH2. Every two carbons of a fatty acid break down to one acetyl-CoA.  Units cannot be entered in this style of question but the units of your answer should be in mM of ATP.
If a bacterium using aerobic respiration was to degrade one small protein molecule into 8 molecules of pyruvic acid, how many ATP would that cell make? Assume there is no other carbon source.   Units cannot be entered in this style of question but the units of your answer should be in molecules of ATP.
If a bacterium using aerobic respiration was to degrade a 30 mM solution of citric acid, how many ATP would that cell make?  Assume no other carbon source is available.  Units cannot be entered in this style of question but the units of your answer should be in mM of ATP.
Knowledge Booster
Background pattern image
Biology
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, biology and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Similar questions
SEE MORE QUESTIONS
Recommended textbooks for you
Text book image
Biology: The Dynamic Science (MindTap Course List)
Biology
ISBN:9781305389892
Author:Peter J. Russell, Paul E. Hertz, Beverly McMillan
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Text book image
Human Biology (MindTap Course List)
Biology
ISBN:9781305112100
Author:Cecie Starr, Beverly McMillan
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Text book image
Concepts of Biology
Biology
ISBN:9781938168116
Author:Samantha Fowler, Rebecca Roush, James Wise
Publisher:OpenStax College
Text book image
BIOLOGY:CONCEPTS+APPL.(LOOSELEAF)
Biology
ISBN:9781305967359
Author:STARR
Publisher:CENGAGE L
Text book image
Aquaculture Science
Biology
ISBN:9781133558347
Author:Parker
Publisher:Cengage
Text book image
Biology (MindTap Course List)
Biology
ISBN:9781337392938
Author:Eldra Solomon, Charles Martin, Diana W. Martin, Linda R. Berg
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Ecology: Interspecific and Intraspecific Interactions | Ecology & Environment | Biology | FuseSchool; Author: FuseSchool - Global Education;https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiQTrA0-TE8;License: Standard YouTube License, CC-BY