Question

question 20 of 20 : select the best answer for the question. 20. a worm is feeding on dead plant matter and returning nutrients to the soil. what type of nutrient consumption does that worm exhibit? a. decomposer b. herbivore c. detritivore d. omnivore mark for review (will be highlighted on the review page)

Explanation:

• Option A: Decomposers (like fungi/bacteria) break down organic matter chemically. The worm here is consuming dead plant matter physically, so not a decomposer.
• Option B: Herbivores eat living plants, but the worm is eating dead plant matter, so B is incorrect.
• Option C: Detritivores are organisms that feed on dead organic matter (detritus), like the worm consuming dead plant matter and returning nutrients. This matches.
• Option D: Omnivores eat both plants and animals (living or dead), but the worm is specifically feeding on dead plant matter, not a mix of plant and animal matter, so D is incorrect.

Answer:

C. Detritivore