Bc150401870

Bio101
Assignment#2
Q#1: What are consumers in a food chain? Discuss different classes of
consumers and give two examples of each class.
Ans: Heterotrophs or Consumers
Organisms that do not make their own food and get food from other organisms are called
consumers. They get energy by eating either plants or other animals. Their source of food
hence is organic compounds produced by producers. Examples are small and large animals.
Consumers (e.g., animals)
Types of Consumers
Consumers are divided into three classes:
(1) Primary consumers
(2) Secondary consumers
(3) Tertiary consumers
Primary consumers:
Those consumers that feed on plants and grass are called Primary
consumers. They are also called herbivores. For example: Buffaloes, Donkeys, Zebras and Deer
etc.
Secondary consumers:
Those consumers that feed on herbivores are called secondary consumers.
They are also called primary carnivores. For example: frog and snakes etc.
Tertiary consumers:
Those consumers that feed on carnivores are called tertiary consumers.
They are also called secondary carnivores. For example: eagle and hawk etc.
Q#2: Give the characteristics of the following with examples.
i. Round worms ii. Mammals
i. Round worms:
Characteristics of the round worms are as follows;
They have ability to regenerate their lost part.
They grow very long.
They are parasites and decomposers.
They do not have any circulatory system.
They are invertebrates.
ii. Mammals:
Characteristics of the mammals are as follows;
They are widely distributed, most complex, endotherms.
They have 4 chambered heart, lungs for gas exchange.
They have highly developed brains.
Their Young ones are born mostly, mother feed them with milk, provide parental
care.
They have hairs on their body, provide insulation.
They have thick skin with skin sensory receptors.

They are Heterotrophs, herbivores to omnivores.

Q#3: a) Describe the following types of algae with examples. i. Unicellular algae ii.
Filamentous algae
i. Unicellular algae:
The algae that consists of only one cell is called unicellular algae. Species occur
as single, unattached cells that may or may not be motile. For example, Chlamydomonas,
Euglena, Valonia ventricosa etc.
ii. Filamentous algae:
Filamentous algal species occur as chains of cells attached end to end. These
filaments may be few to many cells long and may be unbranched or branched in
various patterns. For example, Spirogyra.
b) Give the characteristics of Agar.
Agar is gelatinous substance.
It can bind things.
It is used in ice cream and other food materials.
It is produced from sea weeds.
It is used in almost all microbiology research laboratories, for example in clinical
laboratory.
Agar is very important in scientific research.