Which of the following best explains whether producers could survive without consumers in an ecosystem?

• A. No, because producers depend on consumers to provide them with energy.
• B. Yes, because producers can make their own food through photosynthesis and do not rely on consumers for energy.
• C. No, because without consumers, producers would not be able to perform photosynthesis.
• D. Yes, because consumers recycle nutrients that producers need to survive.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the role of producers in an ecosystem. Producers, such as plants, algae, and some bacteria, are autotrophs that can create their own food through the process of photosynthesis. They use sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water to produce glucose and oxygen.
2. Step 2: Examine the relationship between producers and consumers. Consumers are heterotrophs that rely on producers or other organisms for energy. While consumers depend on producers for food, producers do not rely on consumers for energy since they generate their own energy through photosynthesis.
3. Step 3: Clarify the role of consumers in nutrient recycling. Consumers contribute to nutrient cycling by breaking down organic matter and returning nutrients to the soil through processes like decomposition. However, producers can still survive without consumers by utilizing inorganic nutrients from the environment.
4. Step 4: Address the incorrect statements. Producers do not depend on consumers for energy or the ability to perform photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is an independent process driven by sunlight and does not require consumers.
5. Step 5: Conclude that producers can survive without consumers because they are self-sufficient in energy production through photosynthesis. However, the absence of consumers may impact nutrient cycling in the ecosystem, which could affect long-term ecosystem health.