Question

living things use carbon - based molecules for energy. for example, when this deer eats a tree branch, it consumes glucose, cellulose, and other carbon - based molecules. these molecules are broken down and rearranged in the deer’s cells, releasing energy. how does a tree branch provide energy for the deer? the deer’s cells break down molecules in the plant to form new molecules and release energy. carbon - based molecules move from the deer to the plant, releasing energy. glucose and cellulose are made in the deer’s cells, releasing energy.

Explanation:

To determine the correct answer, we analyze each option:

1. First option: The passage states that when the deer eats the tree branch, the carbon - based molecules (like glucose, cellulose) in the branch are broken down and rearranged in the deer’s cells, releasing energy. This matches the description in the first option.
2. Second option: Molecules should move from the plant (tree branch) to the deer, not the other way around. So this option is incorrect.
3. Third option: Glucose and cellulose are in the plant (tree branch), not made in the deer’s cells. So this option is incorrect.

Answer:

The deer’s cells break down molecules in the plant to form new molecules and release energy.