Which of the following best describes secondary production in an ecosystem?

• A. It is the generation of biomass by heterotrophic organisms from consuming primary producers.
• B. It is the energy lost as heat during cellular respiration in autotrophs.
• C. It is the process by which plants convert solar energy into chemical energy.
• D. It refers to the total amount of energy fixed by photosynthesis.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of secondary production: Secondary production refers to the generation of biomass by heterotrophic organisms (such as animals, fungi, and some bacteria) as they consume organic material produced by autotrophs (primary producers like plants and algae).
2. Differentiate between autotrophs and heterotrophs: Autotrophs are organisms that produce their own food through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis, while heterotrophs rely on consuming other organisms for energy and nutrients.
3. Eliminate incorrect options: The energy lost as heat during cellular respiration in autotrophs is not secondary production; it is part of energy dissipation. Similarly, the process by which plants convert solar energy into chemical energy and the total amount of energy fixed by photosynthesis are related to primary production, not secondary production.
4. Focus on the correct definition: Secondary production specifically involves the conversion of energy from consumed organic material into biomass by heterotrophic organisms.
5. Select the correct answer: Based on the explanation, the correct description of secondary production is 'It is the generation of biomass by heterotrophic organisms from consuming primary producers.'