What organisms form the base of the marine ecosystem?Multiple choice question.CoralsZooplanktonPhytoplanktonSardines

Break Down the Problem

1. Identify the organisms listed in the options.
2. Determine which organisms are foundational in a marine ecosystem.

Relevant Concepts

• The base of the marine food web typically consists of primary producers.
• Primary producers are organisms that can produce energy through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis.

Analysis and Detail

• Corals: They provide habitat but are not primary producers.
• Zooplankton: They are consumers, primarily feeding on phytoplankton and other microscopic organisms.
• Phytoplankton: These are microscopic plants that perform photosynthesis and are considered primary producers in the marine ecosystem.
• Sardines: These are fish that are consumers, feeding on zooplankton and phytoplankton.

Verify and Summarize

After analyzing the roles of each organism, phytoplankton are the primary producers and form the base of the marine ecosystem, converting sunlight into energy.

Final Answer

Phytoplankton