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Chapter 11: Problem 3

In a pond ecosystem, spring rains trigger an expansion of species at levels of the food chain. Runoff from nearby hills brings nutrients which, when combined with warming temperatures, trigger an algae bloom. The populations of small protozoans such as plankton expand by ingesting the algae. These plankton, subsequently, are consumed by small crustaceans such as crayfish, which ultimately become prey for fish such as catfish or carp. In this ecosystem, which of the following accurately describes the crayfish? (A) They are producers. (B) They are primary consumers. (C) They are secondary consumers. (D) They are tertiary consumers.

Short Answer

Expert verified
In the given pond ecosystem, the crayfish eat plankton (primary consumers), so they are considered secondary consumers. The correct answer is (C) They are secondary consumers.

Step by step solution

01

Understand the Food Chain

In a typical food chain, producers (usually plants) provide the base of the chain, and primary consumers eat the producers. These primary consumers are then consumed by secondary consumers, and so on.
02

Identify Producers

In the pond ecosystem described in the exercise, the algae are the producers, as they convert sunlight and nutrients into organic matter that serves as the base of the food chain.
03

Identify Primary Consumers

In this food chain, plankton are the primary consumers, as they eat the algae (which are the producers).
04

Identify Crayfish's Role

In this food chain, crayfish eat the plankton (which are primary consumers). Since the crayfish are consuming the primary consumers, they are considered secondary consumers.
05

Choose the Correct Option

Based on our understanding of the crayfish's role in the pond food chain, we can conclude that the correct answer is (C) They are secondary consumers.

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