As an animal grows, its mass increases. The matter that makes up this new mass comes mostly from

Question

A.
compounds that the animal breaks down into water and carbon dioxide.
B.
air and water that the animal changes into other compounds using the energy from sunlight.
C.
food that the animal has eaten and changed into other compounds.
D.
substances that the animal has eaten but cannot digest.

Answer 1

The correct answer is C. food that the animal has eaten and changed into other compounds.

As animals grow, they primarily gain mass by consuming food, which provides the necessary nutrients and energy. This food is metabolized and transformed into new compounds that contribute to the animal's body mass. Options A and B refer to processes that are more relevant to plants (photosynthesis) or energy conversion, while option D pertains to undigested substances, which do not contribute to mass growth.