Final answer:
The total energy an organism has is determined by factors like diet, metabolism rate, and activity level. The balance between energy intake and expenditure influences the organism's total energy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The total energy an organism has is largely determined by the quantity and quality of the food it consumes, its metabolism rate, and its physical activity level. For example, an organism that consumes high-energy foods and has a high metabolism rate would typically have more energy than an organism that eats less energy-rich food or has a slower metabolism. However, if that organism with lots of energy also has a high level of physical activity, it may use up that energy quickly, leaving it with less usable energy. Thus, energy intake, metabolism, and energy expenditure all work together to influence an organism's total energy.
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