The most inclusive components of the biotic portion of an ecosystem are
A) producers, consumers, and decomposers.
B) primary and secondary consumers.
C) herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores.
D) all nonliving chemicals or matter.
E) none of these answers

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Producers, consumers, and decomposers make up the three main categories of organisms in an ecosystem and are therefore the most inclusive components of the biotic portion. Producers (such as plants) convert energy from the sun into food for themselves and other organisms, while consumers (such as animals) eat producers or other consumers. Decomposers (such as bacteria and fungi) break down dead organisms and organic matter, releasing nutrients back into the ecosystem. Primary and secondary consumers (B) and herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores (C) are subsets of consumers and do not encompass all organisms in an ecosystem. Nonliving matter (D) is part of the abiotic portion of an ecosystem.

The Most Inclusive Components of the Biotic Portion of an Ecosystem