Question

List three groups of autotrophs.Understanding: Most ecosystems rely on a supply of energy from sunlight.

Answer 1

Three groups of autotrophs important for ecosystem energy supply are plants, algae, and photosynthetic bacteria. These organisms use photosynthesis to produce organic compounds needed by themselves and other species.

Step-by-step explanation:

Three groups of autotrophs are:

• Plants: These are the most common autotrophs that use photosynthesis to convert sunlight into energy, in the form of carbohydrates like glucose.
• Algae: Like plants, algae are photosynthetic organisms that are capable of producing their own food using sunlight.
• Photosynthetic bacteria: Some bacteria also have the ability to perform photosynthesis and are thus considered autotrophs, using solar energy to make organic compounds.

Autotrophs such as these play a critical role in ecosystems, essentially serving as the foundation of food webs by producing the energy that is then consumed by heterotrophic organisms.