Question

Secondary Producers are :
A) Herbivores
B) Heterotrophs
C) Carnivores
D) Green Plants.

Answer 1

Producers are organisms that chemically produce their own food and are usually the foundation for almost all food chains. For example - few species of bacteria, algae and plants; prepare their own food.

Complete Answer:
A food chain is a network of links in a food web. The producers are consumed by the predators - primary and secondary consumers; then the heterotrophs (Detritivores) and finally by decomposers. When several such food chains are seen in an ecosystem, it is called a - Food Web.

Animals that feed on plants are called - secondary producers, since they produce the biomass (a renewable organic material) for their predators. Similarly, carnivores which are eaten by other species, are called 'tertiary producers'.

Option a) : Herbivores - Herbivores are those which feed on trees, plants and fruits. The largest herbivore is the African elephant. Deer, rabbits, cows, zebras are some examples of herbivores. A secondary producer is a herbivore, and is a food for a predator.Thus, it is the Correct option.

Option b) : Heterotrophs - are organisms that are not able to synthesize their own food, and thus, they have to depend on other sources, specifically plant and animal matters.Thus, this option is the incorrect one.

Option c) : Carnivores - Carnivores or carnivorous animals depend upon other animals for their food. These animals have several adaptations that help them to effectively hunt prey.Thus, this is the incorrect option.

Option d) : Green Plants - Green plants are also called photoautotrophs. They perform photosynthesis, for their own food.Thus, this option is also incorrect.

Note: At each trophic level, every consumer can get only 10% of the calories/energy available to its producer. Thus, there are very few energy pyramids, which contain more than 4 levels, or more accurately, ‘quaternary producers’.