An oak tree gets nourishment from the Sun and produces acorns. Squirrels eat the acorns for food. What happens to the molecules in the food consumed by the squirrel?

Question

A.
The molecules get converted to energy only.
B.
The molecules get eliminated completely by the squirrel as waste.
C.
The molecules get converted to energy and other types of molecules.
D.
The molecules are destroyed in the animal's body.

Answer 1

C. The molecules get converted to energy and other types of molecules.

When squirrels consume acorns, the carbohydrates, fats, and proteins in the acorns are metabolized. This process converts the energy stored in the food molecules into usable energy for the squirrel's body, as well as building blocks for new molecules needed for growth, maintenance, and other bodily functions.