Final answer:
The stored energy from photosynthesis can indeed be harvested by all organisms, either directly or indirectly. This process is essential to life on Earth and contributes to the life-support system by providing energy and oxygen necessary for almost all living organisms.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement 'The stored energy from photosynthesis can be harvested by ALL organisms' is true. Photosynthesis is a crucial biological process in which plants, algae, and some bacteria convert light energy from the sun into chemical energy in the form of glucose (a carbohydrate). This energy becomes stored in the covalent bonds of sugar molecules and can last for vast periods. All organisms, including those that do not perform photosynthesis directly, depend on this stored energy. Organisms that do not photosynthesize obtain this energy indirectly by consuming plants or other organisms that have, thus, all organisms have access to this stored energy and it is central to the life-support system on our planet.
ATP, or adenosine triphosphate, is the energy currency used by all cells to carry out cellular functions. The energy from food, which originated from photosynthesis, is converted into ATP, which powers the metabolic processes in organisms. Moreover, during the Calvin cycle of photosynthesis, this light energy is captured and stored in carbohydrates, supporting all forms of life directly or indirectly.
In summary, photosynthesis not only fuels the producer organisms but also sustains the entire food web, from the smallest bacteria to the largest animals, by channeling the sun's energy through various trophic levels. This interconnectedness depicts the fundamental role of photosynthesis in Earth's ecosystems.