Question

1. mushrooms are found in many moist environments throughout georgia. mushrooms use decaying matter to get their nutrients. the diagram shows a food chain in a georgia ecosystem.

what would most likely happen if mushrooms stopped growing in this georgia ecosystem?
a. the population of producers would increase.
b. the population of consumers would increase.
c. the amount of decaying matter would increase.
d. the amount of water and sunlight would increase.
based on the food web, which of these organisms receives its energy directly from a primary consumer?
a. caterpillar
b. dandelion
c. frog
d. grasshopper

Explanation:

A primary consumer is an organism that eats producers (plants). A caterpillar eats plants (producers), so it is a primary consumer. Dandelion is a producer. Frog is a secondary consumer (eats primary consumers like caterpillars). Grasshopper is also a primary consumer but the question asks "which of these" and caterpillar is one of the options.
For the second part: Mushrooms are decomposers. If they stopped growing, the amount of decaying matter (which they decompose) would increase because there would be no decomposers to break it down. Producers get energy from the sun, consumers from eating other organisms. Decomposers break down dead organic matter. If decomposers (mushrooms) stop working, decaying matter accumulates.

Answer:

1. A. caterpillar

For the second question (assuming it's the one about what happens if mushrooms stop growing): C. The amount of decaying matter would increase.