Considering trophic levels, heterotrophs occur at which of the following levels?

• A. Abiotic components
• B. Primary consumers
• C. Decomposers
• D. Producers

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of trophic levels: Trophic levels represent the hierarchical positions in a food chain, starting from producers (autotrophs) to various levels of consumers and decomposers.
2. Define heterotrophs: Heterotrophs are organisms that cannot produce their own food and rely on consuming other organisms for energy. Examples include animals, fungi, and some bacteria.
3. Analyze the options: Abiotic components are non-living factors (e.g., sunlight, water, soil) and are not part of the trophic levels. Producers are autotrophs (e.g., plants, algae) that create their own food through photosynthesis. Decomposers break down organic matter into simpler compounds. Primary consumers are heterotrophs that feed directly on producers.
4. Identify the correct trophic level for heterotrophs: Since heterotrophs depend on consuming other organisms, they cannot be abiotic components or producers. Decomposers are a type of heterotroph, but the question specifies primary consumers, which are also heterotrophs.
5. Conclude that heterotrophs occur at the primary consumer level when they feed directly on producers, such as herbivores consuming plants.