Question

Autotrophs have the ability to:

a. engulf cyanobacteria.
b. survive with CO₂ as their principal carbon source.
c. form cooperative groups that eat larger organisms.
d. produce light.
e. eat smaller organisms.

Answer 1

Autotrophs can produce their own food using CO₂ as their principal carbon source, either through photosynthesis in the case of photoautotrophs such as plants, algae, and cyanobacteria, or through chemosynthesis in the case of chemoautotrophs like some bacteria in deep sea vents.

Step-by-step explanation:

Autotrophs have the ability to survive with CO₂ as their principal carbon source. This characteristic makes them unique as they can produce their own food through the process of photosynthesis or chemosynthesis. The most well-known autotrophs are plants, which are photoautotrophs that utilize sunlight and carbon from carbon dioxide to synthesize chemical energy in the form of carbohydrates. Algae and cyanobacteria are also notable photoautotrophs that can cover vast areas in aquatic environments, contributing significantly to global food chains. Chemoautotrophs, on the other hand, such as certain bacteria found in deep sea vents, capture energy from inorganic compounds to produce organic compounds without the need for sunlight.