Question

The bacteria which attack dead animals are

• A. first link of the food chain and are known as primary producers
• B. second link of the food chain and are herbivorous
• C. third link of the food chain and are tertiary consumers
• D. the end of food chain and are decomposers

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

Bacteria attacking the dead animals represent the end of the food chain and are decomposers. These are the organisms that obtain energy from chemical breakdown of organisms. They secrete enzymes onto dead matter and then absorb the breakdown products. Bacteria are specialised to breakdown organic materials that are difficult for other organisms to digest. They also fulfil a vital role in the ecosystem, returning the constituents of organic matter to the environment in inorganic forms so that they can again be assimilated by producers.