Question

weathering of rocks makes phosphorus available to first-
A. Producers
B. Decomposers
C. Consumers
D. None of the above

Answer 1

Hint: Weathering of rocks causes occurrence of phosphorus in the soil. Plants and producers are the ones who can absorb that phosphorus from the soil. It is then passed on to the next trophic levels of the food chain.

Complete step by step answer:
phosphorus levels gradually lower down in the soil due to which lower amount of phosphorus is available to plants over a long time period as it slowly gets runoff. Low concentration of phosphorus in soils constricts plant growth and even decreases microbial growth causing retrogression. Due to this reason, weathering of rocks is necessary, it reincorporates phosphorus and several other minerals in the soil. Weathering of rocks and minerals releases phosphorus in a soluble form, most abundantly as orthophosphate where it is taken up by plants who convert it into organic compounds. The herbivores then consume plants and the phosphorus gets incorporated into their tissues or gets excreted. When the animal or plant body decays, phosphorus is returned back to the soil where it gets transformed to insoluble form.
Phosphorus is as a component of nucleotides, phosphate ester bonds are responsible for helical configuration of the DNA helix. It is a component of various other biomolecules, also found in enamel of mammalian teeth. It is also found in the exoskeleton of insects, and phospholipids. It also shows buffering properties.

So, the correct answer is “Option A”.

Note:
phosphorus is present in rocks in insoluble form, due to weathering of rocks, it gets converted into soluble form which can be absorbed by plants. It is then transferred to subsequent trophic levels of the food chain.