Final answer:
The largest size of Eastern hard-shell clam is known as the chowder clam. Other size categories include cherrystone and littleneck, while mussels are a different species. The correct option is A.
Step-by-step explanation:
The largest size of Eastern hard-shell clam is called chowder clam.
In the seafood industry, clams are generally categorized by their size, and the term chowder clam is often used to refer to the largest variety of the Eastern hard-shell clams (also known as quahogs).
Other sizes include the cherrystone and littleneck, which are smaller. Conversely, mussels refer to an entirely different species of bivalve mollusk and are not a size category of clams.
It's important to note the significance of mollusks like clams in both the ecology of their environments and the culinary world.
Bivalves, such as clams and mussels, feed by filtering water and play a critical role in maintaining water quality, while also serving as an important food source for humans and wildlife alike. The correct option is A.