Question

question 5 of 10
which statement describes how matter moves through an ecosystem?
a. when an autotroph performs photosynthesis, it changes organic matter into inorganic matter.
b. when a consumer eats another organism, matter is transferred from one trophic level to the next.
c. when a producer performs cellular respiration, it changes inorganic matter into organic matter.
d. when a decomposer breaks down waste matter, it forms sugars that plants use for cellular respiration.

Explanation:

In an ecosystem, consumers obtain matter by consuming other organisms, transferring matter between trophic levels. Autotrophs in photosynthesis convert inorganic to organic matter (so A is wrong), producers in cellular - respiration convert organic to inorganic matter (so C is wrong), and decomposers break down waste matter into inorganic nutrients not sugars for plants' cellular respiration (so D is wrong).

Answer:

B. When a consumer eats another organism, matter is transferred from one trophic level to the next.