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Multiple Choice
Which statement describes how heterotrophs depend on autotrophs for survival?
A
Heterotrophs depend on autotrophs to decompose organic matter.
B
Heterotrophs require autotrophs to perform cellular respiration.
C
Heterotrophs rely on autotrophs to produce oxygen through photosynthesis.
D
Heterotrophs use autotrophs to convert carbon dioxide into water.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the roles of autotrophs and heterotrophs: Autotrophs are organisms that can produce their own food using light, water, carbon dioxide, or other chemicals. They are typically plants, algae, and some bacteria. Heterotrophs, on the other hand, cannot produce their own food and rely on consuming other organisms for energy.
Recognize the process of photosynthesis: Autotrophs, such as plants, perform photosynthesis, a process where they convert light energy into chemical energy stored in glucose. During photosynthesis, oxygen is produced as a byproduct.
Identify the dependency of heterotrophs on autotrophs: Heterotrophs rely on the oxygen produced by autotrophs during photosynthesis for their survival. Oxygen is essential for cellular respiration, a process that heterotrophs use to convert glucose into energy.
Clarify the incorrect statements: Heterotrophs do not depend on autotrophs to decompose organic matter; decomposers like fungi and bacteria perform this role. Heterotrophs perform cellular respiration themselves, using the oxygen produced by autotrophs. Autotrophs do not convert carbon dioxide into water; they use carbon dioxide and water to produce glucose and oxygen during photosynthesis.
Conclude with the correct statement: The correct statement is that heterotrophs rely on autotrophs to produce oxygen through photosynthesis, which is crucial for the heterotrophs' cellular respiration process.