Question

Primary consumers depend on energy from plants for survival. Higher consumers depend on energy from primary consumers for survival. Which of the following is also true about plants and consumers? A. The species of plants in an ecosystem does not influence the species of consumers that can live there. B. The number and type of plants in an ecosystem determines the number and type of consumers that can live there. C. Plants are not an important part of an ecosystem because all consumers can receive energy from other consumers. D. The number of plants in an ecosystem does not influence the number of consumers that can live there.

Answer 1

The correct answer is - B. The number and type of plants in an ecosystem determines the number and type of consumers that can live there.

The plants are producers. They are the basis of the ecosystems on Earth. By consuming the plants, the consumers are able to survive and thrive, thus the food chain develops further up to the predators that are consuming other consumers.

The number of plants and the type of plants determines what type and how many species of consumers can live somewhere. The more plants there are, the more food for the consumers, thus there will be more consumers. The higher the diversification of the plants, the higher the diversification of the consumers will be too, as every plant is unique and specialization for consuming it is needed, thus the consumers will evolve into new species in accordance to the food source.