A fundamental difference between saprobes and detritivores is that
A) saprobes have long snouts that allow them access to food that is unavailable to detritivores.
B) only saprobes absorb nutrients from dead organisms.
C) detritivores are primarily bacteria.
D) only detritivores seek out dead organic items and eat them.
E) Both b and d

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Saprobes and detritivores both obtain nutrients from dead organic matter, but there is a significant difference in how they obtain these nutrients. Saprobes absorb nutrients from dead organisms through a process of extracellular digestion, while detritivores actively seek out dead organic materials and ingest them. Therefore, options B and D are both incorrect, and option E is the correct answer. Option A is incorrect because having long snouts is not a defining characteristic of saprobes, and option C is incorrect because detritivores can be a variety of organisms, including but not limited to bacteria.

A Fundamental Difference Between Saprobes and Detritivores Is That