Trophic Level

- Fungi and Bacteria are decomposers. They breakdown organic matter into simple inorganic substances. - Virus represents dormant life. They are metabolically inactive as long as they are outside a host body. They are **not** decomposers. They invade host cells and use their nucleus (DNA machinery) to carry out their life processes.

**Statement 1 is correct:** A food chain shows the linear sequence of organisms through which energy and nutrients pass, from producer → herbivore → carnivore → decomposer. **Statement 2 is incorrect:** Food chains are not found within the populations of a species, because technically, the food chain is the sequence of organisms through which the energy flows. **Statement 3 is incorrect:** A food chain does not show the number of organisms, it only shows the feeding relationship and energy flow.

**Detritivores:** These are organisms that feed on dead and decaying organic matter (detritus). **Earthworms:** They are classic detritivores, breaking down organic matter in soil and aiding in decomposition. **Millipedes:** They feed on decaying leaves and other organic debris on the forest floor. **Woodlice:** These small crustaceans are also detritivores, consuming decaying plant and animal matter. **Jellyfish:** While they might incidentally ingest some detritus while filtering water for food, they are primarily carnivores, feeding on plankton and small fish. **Seahorses:** These are also not detritivores. They are carnivores, feeding on small shrimp, plankton, and other invertebrates. Therefore, 1,3 and 5 are detritivores.