Multiple Choice
What is the original source of almost all energy in most ecosystems?
8. Thermochemistry
Nature of Energy
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What is the ultimate source of energy that drives the food chain?
A
Geothermal energy
B
The Moon
C
The Sun
D
Nuclear energy
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand that the food chain is a sequence of organisms where each is a source of food for the next. The energy flow in a food chain is crucial for the survival of ecosystems.
Recognize that the ultimate source of energy for most ecosystems on Earth is the Sun. The Sun provides the energy required for photosynthesis, the process by which plants convert solar energy into chemical energy.
Photosynthesis is the process where plants, algae, and some bacteria use sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen. This can be represented by the chemical equation:
The glucose produced during photosynthesis serves as an energy source for plants and, indirectly, for animals that consume plants. This energy is transferred through the food chain as animals eat plants and are, in turn, eaten by other animals.
While other energy sources like geothermal energy and nuclear energy exist, they do not play a significant role in driving the food chain on Earth. The Sun is the primary energy source for the vast majority of life on our planet.
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