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Questions and Answers
What is the role of primary consumers in an ecosystem? Provide an example to support your answer.
Primary consumers are herbivores that feed on plants. They are the first level of the food chain and play a crucial role in transferring energy from producers to higher-level consumers. An example of a primary consumer is a rabbit that feeds on grass.
Explain the concept of parasitism and provide two examples of parasitic relationships in nature.
Parasitism is a type of symbiotic relationship where one organism, called the parasite, benefits at the expense of another organism, called the host. The parasite obtains nutrients or resources from the host, often causing harm or damage. Two examples of parasitic relationships are ticks feeding on the blood of mammals and mistletoe plants deriving nutrients from trees.
Describe the role of autotrophs in an ecosystem and provide two examples of autotrophs.
Autotrophs, also known as producers, are organisms that can produce their own food through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis. They are the foundation of the food chain, as they convert energy from sunlight or inorganic compounds into organic matter. Two examples of autotrophs are plants that use photosynthesis to produce glucose and bacteria that use chemosynthesis to convert chemicals into energy.
