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Which of the following is an organism that obtains its energy from the transfer of electrons originating from chemical compounds and its carbon from an inorganic source?

a) Heterotroph
b) Autotroph
c) Phototroph
d) Chemotroph

1 Answer

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Final answer:

An organism that uses chemical compounds for energy and inorganic sources for carbon is a chemolithoautotroph, a type of autotroph distinct from phototrophs and heterotrophs.

Step-by-step explanation:

The organism that obtains its energy from the transfer of electrons originating from chemical compounds and its carbon from an inorganic source is known as a chemolithoautotroph. These organisms are a type of autotroph which utilize inorganic sources, such as hydrogen sulfide or reduced iron, to sustain their energy requirements. They do not require light as a source of energy, unlike phototrophs, and since they use inorganic carbon sources (typically carbon dioxide) for building their cellular components, they do not rely on other organisms for carbon, which differentiates them from heterotrophs.

Chemotrophs obtain their energy by breaking chemical bonds and transfer of electrons originating from chemical compounds. They obtain their carbon from an inorganic source. Lithotrophs are a type of chemotroph that get energy from inorganic compounds, while organotrophs get energy from organic compounds. Therefore, the correct answer is d) Chemotroph.

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