Which of the following is a true statement?
All organisms generate waste and dead material that is recycled by decomposers.
All organisms are considered decomposers in aquatic ecosystems since all organisms are underwater.
All organisms rely on photosynthesis, which is done by decomposers.
All organisms in an ecosystem eat decomposers to survive.
All organisms generate waste and dead material that is recycled by decomposers.
To determine which of the given statements is true, we can analyze each statement individually.
1. "All organisms generate waste and dead material that is recycled by decomposers."
This statement is generally true. Organisms in nature generate waste and dead material as a result of their metabolic activities or when they die. Decomposers, such as bacteria and fungi, play a crucial role in recycling these materials by breaking them down into simpler forms that can be reused by other organisms.
2. "All organisms are considered decomposers in aquatic ecosystems since all organisms are underwater."
This statement is not true. Decomposers are organisms that break down organic matter, including dead organisms and waste materials. While decomposers are present in various ecosystems, including aquatic ecosystems, not all organisms in those ecosystems are decomposers. Aquatic ecosystems have a diverse range of organisms, including producers (plants and algae), consumers (fish, turtles, etc.), and decomposers (bacteria, fungi, etc.).
3. "All organisms rely on photosynthesis, which is done by decomposers."
This statement is not true. Photosynthesis is the process by which organisms, primarily plants and some types of algae, convert sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide into glucose and oxygen. Decomposers, on the other hand, obtain their energy by breaking down organic matter. While all organisms indirectly benefit from photosynthesis because it provides oxygen and energy through the food chain, not all organisms rely on photosynthesis for their energy needs.
4. "All organisms in an ecosystem eat decomposers to survive."
This statement is not true. Organisms in an ecosystem display various feeding relationships, including predation, herbivory, scavenging, and parasitism. While some organisms may consume decomposers as a part of their diet, this is not true for all organisms. Different species have different feeding strategies and dietary preferences, and their survival is not solely dependent on eating decomposers.
Based on the explanations above, the only true statement among the options provided is: "All organisms generate waste and dead material that is recycled by decomposers."
The statement that is true is:
All organisms generate waste and dead material that is recycled by decomposers.