Detritivores are best described as which of the following?

Prepare for your College Biology Exam 1 with flashcards and multiple choice questions. Test your understanding with detailed explanations and hints to ensure success in your biology exam!

Multiple Choice

Detritivores are best described as which of the following?

Explanation:
Detritivores obtain energy by consuming detritus—the dead organic matter present in the environment. This makes them the best fit because they directly ingest decaying material, helping recycle nutrients through the ecosystem. Plants are producers that make organic matter themselves, so they aren’t detritivores. Fungi decompose by releasing enzymes outside their bodies and absorbing the nutrients, so they’re decomposers rather than detritivores. While many detritivores are animals, the term specifically describes organisms that ingest detritus, which is why it’s the correct description.

Detritivores obtain energy by consuming detritus—the dead organic matter present in the environment. This makes them the best fit because they directly ingest decaying material, helping recycle nutrients through the ecosystem. Plants are producers that make organic matter themselves, so they aren’t detritivores. Fungi decompose by releasing enzymes outside their bodies and absorbing the nutrients, so they’re decomposers rather than detritivores. While many detritivores are animals, the term specifically describes organisms that ingest detritus, which is why it’s the correct description.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Passetra

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy