Final answer:
In an ecosystem, energy flows from the sun to producers via photosynthesis, and then from producers to consumers. Plants capture solar energy and convert it to food, which is subsequently passed through the food chain. Option number 1 is correct.
Step-by-step explanation:
How Does Energy Flow Through an Ecosystem?
In photosynthesis, energy flows through the ecosystem starting from the sun, which is the primary source of energy. This energy is captured by producers, like plants and certain microbes, through the process of photosynthesis. During photosynthesis, producers convert sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water into glucose, which serves as food, and oxygen.
The produced energy and organic compounds sustain the producers and the rest of the ecosystem. Afterwards, the energy is transferred to consumers, which are organisms that eat other organisms. First, the primary consumers, or herbivores, consume the plants, and then secondary consumers or carnivores eat the herbivores. This process results in the flow of energy from the sun to producers and then to consumers.
In summary, the correct answer to the question 'In photosynthesis, how does energy flow through the ecosystem?' is option 1: Energy flows from the sun to the producers, then to the consumers.