Question

elena is taking a guided hike through a new hampshire forest in october to enjoy the changing colors of autumn leaves. her guide explains that the leaves change color as the green pigment chlorophyll used in photosynthesis decomposes. another hiker asks the guide to explain photosynthesis. which is the guides answer?
a) photosynthesis is the process heterotrophs use to make sugar.
b) photosynthesis is the process heterotrophs use to make energy.
c) photosynthesis is the process autotrophs use to make energy.
d) photosynthesis is the process autotrophs use to make sugar.

Explanation:

Photosynthesis is the process by which autotrophs (organisms that can produce their own food) use light energy to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose (sugar) and oxygen. Heterotrophs are organisms that cannot produce their own food and rely on consuming other organisms for energy. So, options A and B are incorrect as they wrongly associate photosynthesis with heterotrophs. Option C is incorrect because photosynthesis produces sugar (which can be converted into energy, but the direct product is sugar).

Answer:

D. Photosynthesis is the process autotrophs use to make sugar.