Question

Which organisms are primary consumers in this food web? Select all that apply.

A) clam
B) pufferfish
C)damselfish
D)zooplankton
E)rockskipper

Answer 1

In a food web, primary consumers are organisms that feed on producers (plants or algae).

A) Clam - Yes, clams are typically filter feeders and consume phytoplankton, making them primary consumers.

B) Pufferfish - No, pufferfish are usually secondary consumers, feeding on smaller animals.

C) Damselfish - Yes, damselfish often consume algae and small organisms, placing them among primary consumers.

D) Zooplankton - Yes, zooplankton are primary consumers as they feed on phytoplankton.

E) Rockskipper - Insufficient information provided. Rockskippers may vary in their dietary habits.

So, the primary consumers in this food web are A) clam, C) damselfish, and D) zooplankton.

Answer 2

In a food web, primary consumers are those that feed directly on primary producers like plants or phytoplankton. Zooplankton and urchins are confirmed primary consumers as they feed on microscopic plant life and algae, respectively. Clams, being filter-feeders, are also likely primary consumers.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the context of a food web, primary consumers are organisms that feed directly on primary producers, which are typically photosynthetic organisms like plants or phytoplankton. Looking at the options provided, zooplankton and grazing organisms such as the urchin fit the description of primary consumers. Zooplankton feed on microscopic plant life in the water, while urchins graze on available plants, notably algae.

Given the examples listed and the description of primary consumers in an ecosystem, we can deduce that from the choices provided the organisms that are primary consumers are A) clam, as it's a filter-feeder, C) damselfish, because some species of damselfish feed on algae, and possibly E) rockskipper, if it feeds on algae or other plant material, as is typical for many rockskipper species. However, without specific details on the diet of the damselfish and rockskipper mentioned, it's generally understood that the clam would be a safe choice to identify as a primary consumer. Without further information on the specific feeding habits of the damselfish and rockskipper, it's difficult to categorize them definitively in the absence of a detailed food web. Therefore, option D) zooplankton and option C) urchin are confirmed primary consumers, while A) clam is also likely a primary consumer.