The feeding of microorganisms on dead organic matter and the organisms that subsequently eat the herbivores is called which of the following?

• A. Food chain
• B. Detritus food chain
• C. Detritivore chain
• D. Detour food chain

Answer: (B)

Energy flow in ecosystems includes a detritus-based pathway, where dead organic matter serves as the energy source. Microorganisms break down this detritus, and detritivores then feed on the decomposed material. As these detritivores are consumed by higher predators, energy moves upward through the loop, continuing the chain. This pathway is distinct from the grazing food chain, which starts with living producers. The term that best captures feeding on dead matter and the organisms that eat those detritus feeders is the detritus food chain. It emphasizes how decomposition and detritivory recycle energy and nutrients. Terms that focus only on detritivores or that describe a generic food chain don’t fit as precisely, and detour is not a real term.