Question

Differentiate among primary, secondary, and tertiary consumers. Give one example of each in a food chain.

Answer 1

Sr. No.	Primary Consumers	Secondary Consumers	Tertiary Consumers
1.	Primary consumers are organisms that feed directly on producers, such as plants or algae.	Secondary consumers are organisms that feed on primary consumers.	Tertiary consumers are organisms that feed on secondary consumers.
2.	They are herbivores and play a crucial role in transferring energy from the producers (first trophic level) to the higher levels of the food chain.	They can be carnivores (meat-eaters) or omnivores (organisms that eat plants and animals).	They are often apex predators at the top of the food chain, with few or no natural predators.
3.	Primary consumers are adapted to digest plant material, which can be fibrous and tough.	Carnivorous secondary consumers have adaptations like sharp teeth and claws for hunting and consuming prey.	They typically have substantial hunting adaptations, such as powerful jaws, keen senses, and advanced predatory behaviours.
4.	Examples: Grasshopper eating grass.	Examples: Frog-eating Grasshopper.	Examples: Snake-eating Frog.