Question

which characteristic describes the whale but not its food source, the phytoplankton?
the whale is heterotrophic.
the whale has cell walls.
the whale is unicellular.
the whale is a prokaryote.

Explanation:

• Heterotrophic: Whales are heterotrophic (obtain food from other organisms). Phytoplankton are autotrophic (produce their own food via photosynthesis).
• Cell walls: Phytoplankton (plant - like) have cell walls; whales (animals) do not.
• Unicellular: Phytoplankton can be unicellular; whales are multicellular.
• Prokaryote: Both whales and phytoplankton (most are eukaryotic) are not prokaryotes.

Answer:

The whale is heterotrophic.