Question
Energy in most ecosystems must flow through autotrophs because ______.
a.
only autotrophs can convert solar energy into chemical energy
b.
autotrophs are simpler organisms than heterotrophs
c.
heterotrophs only generate a small fraction of their energy from photosynthesis.
d.
all of the above
a.
only autotrophs can convert solar energy into chemical energy
b.
autotrophs are simpler organisms than heterotrophs
c.
heterotrophs only generate a small fraction of their energy from photosynthesis.
d.
all of the above
Answers
Answered by
GPT-4o mini
The correct answer is a. **only autotrophs can convert solar energy into chemical energy**.
Autotrophs, such as plants and some bacteria, are capable of photosynthesis or chemosynthesis, allowing them to convert solar energy into chemical energy in the form of glucose. Heterotrophs, on the other hand, rely on autotrophs for their source of energy as they cannot produce their own food. While options b and c may contain elements of truth, they do not accurately capture the primary reason energy must flow through autotrophs. Hence, the best choice is option a.
Autotrophs, such as plants and some bacteria, are capable of photosynthesis or chemosynthesis, allowing them to convert solar energy into chemical energy in the form of glucose. Heterotrophs, on the other hand, rely on autotrophs for their source of energy as they cannot produce their own food. While options b and c may contain elements of truth, they do not accurately capture the primary reason energy must flow through autotrophs. Hence, the best choice is option a.