NEET Biology Ecosystem Based Practice Questions & Answers with Viewers Discussion and Detailed Explanation

Answer: (a)

The dead organic matter of plants or animals is called as detritus. While a part of it remains on the soil surface as litter, the other part enters the soil. Many animals such as protozoans, nematodes, insects etc., depend on detritus and hence they are called as detritivores. Even the human beings are detritivores when they eat cooked food. From detritus, the chain proceeds to detritivores, then to carnivores and finally to top carnivores.