Question

organisms. plants play a central role in nutrient cycles by absorbing these nutrients from sources like soil and incorporating them into their structure. they convert sunlight into usable energy and transform soil nutrients into forms that support the food chain.
in nutrient cycles, which part of the ecosystem is responsible for converting sunlight into energy for the food chain and taking up nutrients from the soil?
predators
decomposers
herbivores
plants

Explanation:

The text explicitly states that plants absorb nutrients from soil and convert sunlight into energy for the food chain. Predators hunt other animals, decomposers break down dead matter, and herbivores eat plants. Only plants match the described role.

Answer:

D. plants