Question

#4 - which term describes bacteria that obtain their energy from sunlight and use carbon dioxide from the environment?
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a. photoautotrophs
b. chemoautotrophs
c. photoheterotrophs
d. chemoheterotrophs

#5 - which of these is a criterion that scientists follow when placing an organism into a taxonomic group?
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a. the organisms must live in the same location.
b. the organisms must have the same growth rates.
c. the organisms must share similar characteristics.
d. the organisms must share similar reproductive rates.

#6 - does this table correctly classify how these organisms obtain energy for metabolic purposes?

organism	classification
plants	autotrophs
birds	autotrophs

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a. yes, because birds are animals, which are autotrophs.
b. yes, because yeasts are animals, which are heterotrophs.
c. no, because birds are animals, which are heterotrophs.
d. no, because plants are heterotrophs.

Explanation:

#4

• Photoautotrophs use sunlight (photo -) for energy and carbon dioxide (auto - as they self - produce organic matter from inorganic carbon) to make their food. Bacteria using sunlight for energy and \(CO_2\) from the environment fit this. Chemoautotrophs use chemical energy, photoheterotrophs use light but need organic carbon, and chemoheterotrophs use chemical energy and organic carbon. So the correct term is photoautotrophs.

• Taxonomic classification is based on shared characteristics (like structural, genetic, etc.). Living in the same location (A) or having same growth (B) / reproductive rates (D) are not taxonomic criteria. Organisms in a taxonomic group share similar traits.

• Birds are animals, which are heterotrophs (they can't make their own food, they consume other organisms). Yeasts are fungi (heterotrophs, correct classification), plants are autotrophs (correct). But birds being classified as autotrophs is wrong. So the table is incorrect because birds are heterotrophs.

Answer:

A. photoautotrophs

#5