Which of the following statements is true?
A) The trophic level that ultimately supports all others consists of detritivores.
B) Consumers can exist in an ecosystem without primary producers.
C) Chemoautotrophic prokaryotes near deep-sea vents are primary producers.
D) No losses of energy occur from primary producers in an ecosystem.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Chemoautotrophic prokaryotes near deep-sea vents use energy from inorganic compounds to produce organic molecules, making them primary producers in that ecosystem. The other statements are not true; detritivores typically occupy a lower trophic level, consumers require primary producers as a source of energy, and there are always energy losses in the transfer between trophic levels in an ecosystem.

Which of the Following Statements Is True