Question

PLEASE HELP NEED ANSWER

The pea aphid, a type of insect, contains light-capturing pigments in its exoskeleton. Pea aphids gained the ability to synthesize these pigments from genes transferred from fungi. While pea aphids do not have chloroplasts or fix carbon, researchers have found that pea aphids with more pigments have higher levels of ATP than those with fewer pigments. Pea aphids also have been shown to increase production of ATP when exposed to sunlight.


Based on this information, is the pea aphid a true autotroph?


A.

No, because the pea aphid is unable to use the energy from sunlight.

B.

Yes, because the pea aphid does not need to use energy from food.

C.

Yes, because the pea aphid can store energy from the sun in ATP molecules.

D.

No, because the pea aphid depends on genes from fungii to utilize energy from sunlight.

Answer 1

Step-by-step explanation:

i got it right on my test

Answer 2

Based on this information, pea aphid is not a true autotroph because the pea aphid depends on genes from fungi to utilize energy from sunlight.

Thus, the correct answer is (D).

Explanation:

Autotrophs are the ones that can produce their own food. But, heterotroph cannot generate its 'own' food. It needs to feed on something.

Pea aphid doesn't have any chloroplast and also it cannot fix carbon, so it is not a true autotroph. They have ability to produce ATP with the help of sun light. It gains 'light-capturing pigment' from the genes that are transferred from fungi. In the given example also, we see that pea aphid gains energy and doesn't produce it.