To determine the correct choices, we need to understand the concepts of autotrophs and heterotrophs and their relation to energy synthesis and sunlight dependency.
Autotrophs are organisms that have the ability to synthesize energy-containing organic compounds using inorganic materials, such as carbon dioxide, water, and sunlight. They convert these simple substances into complex molecules, like carbohydrates, through a process called photosynthesis. Autotrophs are essentially self-feeders because they produce their own food.
Heterotrophs, on the other hand, are organisms that cannot synthesize their own energy-containing organic compounds. Instead, they rely on consuming other organisms or their byproducts to obtain the necessary organic compounds for energy. Heterotrophs are therefore termed other-feeders.
So, let's analyze the given questions based on these definitions:
1. What are organisms that can synthesize energy-containing organic compounds?
The organisms that can do so are autotrophs as they have the capability to produce their own energy-containing organic compounds through photosynthesis. Therefore, the correct choice here is "a) autotrophs."
2. What are organisms that add to the total energy stored in organic compounds?
Since heterotrophs rely on consuming other organisms or their byproducts to obtain energy-containing organic compounds, they contribute to the total energy stored in organic compounds. Therefore, the correct choice here is "b) heterotrophs."
3. What are organisms that require sunlight to survive?
As mentioned earlier, autotrophs use sunlight (or other forms of energy like chemosynthesis) as a key component in the process of photosynthesis, which enables them to synthesize energy-containing organic compounds. Heterotrophs do not necessarily depend on sunlight for survival. Therefore, the correct choice here is "a) autotrophs."
In summary, the correct choices are:
1) a) autotrophs
2) b) heterotrophs
3) a) autotrophs
I hope this clarifies your questions! If you have any further doubts, feel free to ask.