Question

how does energy acquisition in the deep sea differ from energy acquisition near the oceans surface?
a. organisms in the deep sea acquire energy directly from the sun.
b. organisms near the oceans surface rely on chemosynthesis rather than photosynthesis.
c. organisms in the deep sea do not have direct access to sunlight.
d. organisms in the deep sea have no means to obtain energy unless they travel to the oceans surface.

Explanation:

• Option a: Incorrect. Deep - sea organisms do not acquire energy directly from the sun as sunlight cannot penetrate to great depths.
• Option b: Incorrect. Organisms near the ocean's surface rely on photosynthesis (using sunlight) for energy acquisition, not chemosynthesis (which is used in deep - sea environments without sunlight).
• Option c: Correct. Sunlight cannot reach the deep sea, so organisms there do not have direct access to sunlight.
• Option d: Incorrect. Deep - sea organisms can obtain energy through chemosynthesis (using chemical energy from hydrothermal vents, etc.) without traveling to the surface.

Answer:

C. Organisms in the deep sea do not have direct access to sunlight.