Final answer:
The amount of energy required to produce food sources depends on the diet of the organism. Herbivores have to consume a significant amount of plant material, carnivores benefit from more energy-dense diets, and detritivores need minimal energy to feed on decaying organic matter. Therefore, detritivores require the least energy to obtain food.
Step-by-step explanation:
The different diets of organisms affect the amount of energy required to produce such food sources. Herbivores, for instance, eat plants which have a lower energy density and require a more complex digestive system to break down plant material like cellulose. This is less efficient, and as such, a greater amount of plant matter must be consumed to meet their energy needs. The energy transfer from plants to herbivores is about 10% efficient, meaning that many plants must be consumed to obtain sufficient energy.
Carnivores, on the other hand, generally have a simpler digestive system with a diet consisting mainly of proteins and fats that are quickly digested, making animal-based diets more energy-dense and efficient. Omnivores consume both plants and animals and have dietary needs that are between those of herbivores and carnivores. Lastly, detritivores require minimal energy to obtain their food as they feed on decaying organic matter which is readily available and requires little energy to find and consume.
Given this information, the correct answer to the student's question is D) Detritivores require minimal energy as they feed on decaying organic matter.