Which of the following statements is a correct distinction between autotrophs and heterotrophs? a. Autotrophs, but not heterotrophs, can nourish themselves beginning with CO 2 and other nutrients that are inorganic. b. Only heterotrophs require chemical compounds from the environment. c. Cellular respiration is unique to heterotrophs. d. Only heterotrophs have mitochondria.

Hi everyone here we have a question asking which one of the fallen can survive in an exclusively inorganic environment so hetero troops cannot make their own food. They have to break down organic material so it isn't A. B. D. Composers. D. Composers also are like fungus. They have to break down organic material for food. De parasites require an organic host, so our answer isn't D. But autotrophs can live in an organic environment because they only use carbon dioxide and water, so that is all they need to form organic compounds. So our answer here is see autotrophs. Thank you for watching. Bye.

Ch. 10 - Photosynthesis

Campbell - Campbell Biology 12th Edition

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Urry 12th Edition

Ch. 10 - Photosynthesis

Problem 4

Chapter 10, Problem 4

Which of the following statements is a correct distinction between autotrophs and heterotrophs?
a. Autotrophs, but not heterotrophs, can nourish themselves beginning with CO₂ and other nutrients that are inorganic.
b. Only heterotrophs require chemical compounds from the environment.
c. Cellular respiration is unique to heterotrophs.
d. Only heterotrophs have mitochondria.

Verified step by step guidance

Understand the definitions: Autotrophs are organisms that can produce their own food using inorganic substances like carbon dioxide (CO2), typically through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis. Heterotrophs, on the other hand, obtain their food by consuming other organisms or organic substances.

Evaluate statement a: Autotrophs can indeed nourish themselves starting with CO2 and other inorganic nutrients, as they are capable of synthesizing organic compounds from these inorganic sources. This is a key characteristic of autotrophs.

Evaluate statement b: Both autotrophs and heterotrophs require chemical compounds from the environment, but the type of compounds differs. Autotrophs use inorganic compounds, while heterotrophs rely on organic compounds.

Evaluate statement c: Cellular respiration is not unique to heterotrophs. Both autotrophs and heterotrophs perform cellular respiration to convert biochemical energy from nutrients into ATP, and then release waste products.

Evaluate statement d: Mitochondria are present in both autotrophs and heterotrophs. They are essential organelles for cellular respiration in eukaryotic cells, regardless of the organism's mode of nutrition.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Autotrophs

Autotrophs are organisms that can produce their own food using inorganic substances like carbon dioxide and water, typically through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis. They are primary producers in ecosystems, converting light or chemical energy into organic compounds, which serve as food for themselves and other organisms.

Heterotrophs

Heterotrophs are organisms that cannot synthesize their own food and rely on consuming other organisms or organic compounds for nutrition. They obtain energy by ingesting autotrophs or other heterotrophs, playing a crucial role in the food chain as consumers, decomposers, or parasites.

Cellular Respiration

Cellular respiration is a metabolic process that occurs in the cells of both autotrophs and heterotrophs, where organic molecules are broken down to release energy. This process involves glycolysis, the Krebs cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation, primarily occurring in the mitochondria, and is essential for producing ATP, the energy currency of cells.

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