In a wastewater treatment plant, which organisms are primarily responsible for breaking down organic and chemical wastes through metabolic processes such as aerobic respiration or anaerobic digestion?

• A. Vascular plants that absorb toxins through roots
• B. Viruses that infect sewage-dwelling cells
• C. Fish and other aquatic vertebrates that ingest suspended solids
• D. Prokaryotes such as bacteria and archaea

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the role of different organisms in wastewater treatment by identifying which ones can metabolize organic and chemical wastes effectively.
2. Recognize that vascular plants primarily absorb toxins but do not break down wastes through metabolic processes like respiration or digestion in this context.
3. Note that viruses infect cells but do not directly metabolize or break down organic wastes themselves.
4. Consider that fish and aquatic vertebrates ingest solids but do not perform metabolic breakdown of chemical wastes at the microbial level.
5. Identify that prokaryotes such as bacteria and archaea are the primary organisms responsible for breaking down organic and chemical wastes through metabolic processes like aerobic respiration and anaerobic digestion.