Question

Which one of the following most accurately describes the role played in the argument by the statement that zooplankton feed upon phytoplankton?

a) The statement serves as a counterexample to the argument.
b) The statement is a supporting detail in the argument.
c) The statement is irrelevant to the argument's main point.
d) The statement challenges the credibility of the argument.

Answer 1

The statement that zooplankton feed upon phytoplankton functions as a supporting detail, emphasizing the role of phytoplankton as primary producers in aquatic food webs and trophic levels.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement that zooplankton feed upon phytoplankton serves as a supporting detail in the argument. This relationship is crucial for understanding the trophic levels in an ecosystem and the intricate food webs that sustain aquatic life. By establishing that zooplankton consume phytoplankton, one can infer that phytoplankton act as producers in the food chain, providing a source of energy for consumers like zooplankton. This concept aligns with understanding how the amount of phytoplankton supports the various higher trophic levels, as shown in ecological pyramids, and it supports claims regarding metabolic strategies and growth in different species within an ecosystem.