Question

look at an ocean - system below. phytoplankton produce half of the worlds oxygen. shrimp feed on phytoplankton and also need oxygen to live. salmon feed on shrimp and also need oxygen to live. people catch and eat salmon. we also need to breathe oxygen to live. what would most likely happen if the number of shrimp decreased? a. the salmon population would not change. b. the plankton population would not change. c. the plankton population would increase. d. the salmon population would increase.

Explanation:

In a food - chain, if the number of shrimp (a consumer) decreases, the organisms they feed on (plankton) would face less predation pressure. So, the plankton population would likely increase. Shrimp are prey for salmon, so a decrease in shrimp would lead to a decrease in the salmon population due to less food availability.

Answer:

C. The plankton population would increase