Question

Why is the bottom of the food chain (web) so important? A. Because it consists of the largest organisms.

B. Because it is the least affected by environmental changes.

C. Because it serves as the primary source of energy for higher trophic levels.

D. Because it has the highest population density.

Answer 1

The bottom of the food chain is important because it serves as the primary source of energy for higher trophic levels.

Step-by-step explanation:

In many ecosystems, the bottom of the food chain consists of photosynthetic organisms (plants and/or phytoplankton), which are called primary producers. The organisms that consume the primary producers are herbivores: the primary consumers. Secondary consumers are usually carnivores that eat the primary consumers. Tertiary consumers are carnivores that eat other carnivores. Higher-level consumers feed on the next lower tropic levels, and so on, up to the organisms at the top of the food chain: the apex consumers. The bottom of the food chain is important because it serves as the primary source of energy for higher trophic levels.