Question

practice it!
based on the food chain in the diagram, select the statement(s) that accurately describe
the living organism as an autotroph or heterotroph.
the grasses represents an autotroph.
the large bird represents a heterotroph.
decomposers such as worms and bacteria in the soil are heterotrophs.
the snail represents an autotroph.
the grasses represents a heterotroph.
the small bird represents a heterotroph.
decomposers such as worms and bacteria in the soil are autotrophs.

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze each statement using the definitions of autotrophs (organisms that make their own food, usually via photosynthesis or chemosynthesis, like plants) and heterotrophs (organisms that consume other organisms for energy):

1. "The grasses represents an autotroph."

Grasses are plants that perform photosynthesis to make their own food. So this is correct.

1. "The large bird represents a heterotroph."

Birds eat other organisms (like insects, seeds, etc.) for energy. So this is correct.

1. "Decomposers such as worms and bacteria in the soil are heterotrophs."

Decomposers (worms, bacteria) break down dead organic matter (they do not make their own food) to obtain energy. So this is correct.

1. "The snail represents an autotroph."

Snails eat plants (or other organic matter) and do not make their own food. So this is incorrect (snails are heterotrophs).

1. "The grasses represents a heterotroph."

Grasses make their own food (autotrophs), so this is incorrect.

1. "The small bird represents a heterotroph."

Small birds eat other organisms (insects, seeds, etc.) for energy. So this is correct.

1. "Decomposers such as worms and bacteria in the soil are autotrophs."

Decomposers do not make their own food (they rely on dead matter), so this is incorrect.

Answer:

The statements that accurately describe the organisms are:

• The grasses represents an autotroph.
• The large bird represents a heterotroph.
• Decomposers such as worms and bacteria in the soil are heterotrophs.
• The small bird represents a heterotroph.