Question

An organism that subsists by eating predators would function as a(n) ________ in the soil ecosystem.

Select one:
A. detritivore
B. primary consumer
C. decomposer
D. tertiary consumer
E. all of the above

Answer 1

A tertiary consumer in a soil ecosystem is an organism that eats predators. This distinguishes them from decomposers and detritivores, who consume dead organic matter. Therefore, the correct option is D.

Step-by-step explanation:

An organism that subsists by eating predators would function as a tertiary consumer in the soil ecosystem. Tertiary consumers are organisms that typically consume secondary consumers, and these secondary consumers are usually carnivores that prey on primary consumers. In contrast, decomposers consume dead matter at all trophic levels, and detritivores are a type of decomposer that ingest and digest dead organic matter. Humans can be described as omnivores because they eat both plants (producers and primary consumers) and animals (secondary and sometimes tertiary consumers).