Question

1. as a group carefully consider and discuss the following statement: \plants can survive on their own, because they make their own food. animals cant survive on their own but need plants for survival.\ do you agree with this statement? why or why not? can you come to a consensus as a group? be ready to discuss your groups response to this statement.

Explanation:

Plants are autotrophs, which means they can perform photosynthesis to make their own food using sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water. However, they still need other non - plant elements like soil nutrients (minerals), water (not just for photosynthesis but also for cell turgor and transport), and a suitable environment (temperature, pH, etc.).
Animals are heterotrophs and rely on other organisms (which can include plants or other animals that may have a plant - based diet) for food. But plants also rely on animals for processes like pollination (in many flowering plants) and seed dispersal. So the statement is an oversimplification.

Answer:

The statement is an oversimplification. Plants, while autotrophic, need non - plant factors like soil nutrients, water (beyond just for photosynthesis), and a proper environment. Animals are heterotrophic and often rely on plants (directly or indirectly), but plants also rely on animals for processes like pollination and seed dispersal. So the group should not fully agree with the statement as it ignores these interdependencies.