Question

Primary Consumers in detritus food chain are-
A) Herbivores
B) Bacteria and fungi
C) Insect larvae, nematodes
D) all of the above

Answer 1

Hint: organisms which feed on dead and decaying matter are decomposers. In the food chain there are different types of food chain depending on the food habitat. One of the food chains where organisms thrive on dead decaying matter is known as decomposers or detritivores. The food chain starts from organisms like-bacteria and saprophytes eating on dead remains of plants and animals.

Complete answer-
Option A Herbivores- Herbivores are animals which only feed on grass and plants. They do not consume other animals.
Option A is not the correct answer.
Option B Bacteria and fungi- bacteria and fungi are called saprophytes which primarily thrive on dead remains of animals and produce minimal organic energy. The primary consumers are called detritivores.
Option B is the correct answer.
Option C Insect larvae, nematodes- insect larvae, and nematodes can be fed to animals like-birds and eagles. They are part of the food chain but not primary consumers in the detritus food chain.
Option C is not the correct answer.
Option D all of the above- one of the options mentioned above is true and rest are not correct.
Option D is not the correct answer.

Hence, Option B is the correct answer.

Note:
Primary food chain defines the level of organisms which are mainly the producers such as autotrophs and often photosynthetic microorganisms like- algae and cyanobacteria. Those organisms which feed on primary producers are called consumers or secondary organisms. Mainly two food chains are being seen- detritus food chain and grazing food chain.