In a food chain, primary consumers are _______.

herbivores

The correct answer is Option (2) – herbivores

Here's a breakdown of the different trophic levels in a food chain:

1. Producers: These are organisms that can produce their own food, typically through photosynthesis (e.g., plants, algae).
2. Primary consumers: These are herbivores that feed directly on producers. (e.g., cows, deer, rabbits)
3. Secondary consumers: These are carnivores that feed on primary consumers. (e.g., foxes, snakes, owls)
4. Tertiary consumers: These are carnivores that feed on secondary consumers. (e.g., wolves, lions)
5. Decomposers: These are organisms that break down dead organic matter and return nutrients to the ecosystem. (e.g., fungi, bacteria)

Therefore, secondary producers occupy the second level in a food chain and are herbivores that consume plants produced by the primary producers.