Primary consumers

Definition

Primary consumers are organisms that feed directly on producers, typically plants and algae. They occupy the second trophic level in an ecosystem's food chain.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Primary consumers are herbivores, meaning they primarily eat plant material.
2. They play a crucial role in energy transfer from producers to higher trophic levels.
3. Examples of primary consumers include deer, rabbits, and zooplankton.
4. Primary consumers can also be affected by changes in producer populations due to environmental factors.
5. In a food web, primary consumers serve as prey for secondary consumers.

Review Questions

Related terms

Producers: Organisms that produce their own food through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis, forming the first trophic level.

Secondary Consumers: Organisms that feed on primary consumers and occupy the third trophic level.

Trophic Levels: The hierarchical levels in an ecosystem, each representing a step in the flow of energy and nutrients.