Question

This food chain is incomplete. Two groups of organisms are missing. One group of organisms that is missing are the producers, plants and other photosynthetic organisms. They turn sunlight into chemical energy. What is the other missing group and what do they do? A) Carnivores that eat only meat. B) Herbivores that eat only plants. C) Predators that prey on all other levels of consumers. D) Decomposers that recycle matter back into the food chain.

Answer 1

This question requires more information for a complete answer. The first trophic level of a food chain or web is reserved for plants and other photosynthetic organisms that captures solar energy from the sun and converts it to chemical energy. The second trophic level is reserved for herbivores or primary consumers. The third trophic level or secondary consumers are carnivores or predators.

Decomposers are not usually drawn or represented in a food web or chain but they do play a vital role. Decomposers break down dead and decaying organisms and return these unused nutrients to the soil for producers to use.