Question

Select all of the statements that describe the trophic levels of an ecosystem.

Check All That Apply
a. The primary producers are at the base of an energy pyramid.
b. The tertiary consumer level has the greatest number of organisms
c. The greatest number of organisms is found at the producer level
d. Energy decreases as you move through the trophic levels from the producer level to the consumer levels
e. Primary consumers are carnivores

Answer 1

The correct statements about trophic levels are that primary producers are at the base of the energy pyramid, the greatest number of organisms is at the producer level, and energy decreases as you move up the trophic levels.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct statements that describe the trophic levels of an ecosystem are:

• a. The primary producers are at the base of an energy pyramid.
• d. Energy decreases as you move through the trophic levels from the producer level to the consumer levels.
• c. The greatest number of organisms is found at the producer level.

Primary producers are the foundation of an ecosystem and convert light energy into food. They have the largest biomass and, consequently, the highest energy availability. At the base of an energy pyramid, the producers, such as plants or phytoplankton, support the herbivores above them, which are the primary consumers. As you move up the trophic levels, from primary consumers (herbivores) to secondary (carnivores that eat herbivores) and tertiary consumers (carnivores that eat other carnivores), the available energy and biomass decrease due to energy loss, leading to fewer organisms at higher levels.