Question

Refer to the following food chain. Plants \(\rightarrow\) insects \(\rightarrow\) mice \(\rightarrow\) snakes \(\rightarrow\) birds Which of the following organisms in this food chain can transform light energy to chemical energy? (A) Birds (B) Insects (C) Plants (D) Snakes (E) Mice

Short answer

The organism that can transform light energy to chemical energy in the presented food chain is (C) Plants.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding Photosynthesis

Recognize that photosynthesis is a process used by plants, algae, and certain bacteria to harness energy from sunlight and turn it into chemical energy. No other organisms can do this.

Identifying The Organisms in the Chain

Analyze the given food chain which consists of plants, insects, mice, snakes, and birds. The objective is to discern which of these can convert light energy to chemical energy.

Selecting the Correct Organism

Looking at the options, it becomes clear that out of birds, insects, plants, snakes, and mice, plants are the only organisms that carry out photosynthesis. Therefore, plants are the correct answer because they can uniquely convert light energy into chemical energy.

Key concepts

Food Chain

In ecosystems, the flow of energy is structured in a sequence known as the food chain. This chain represents how each organism derives its food. Typically, at the start of any food chain, you'll find producers such as plants, since they synthesize their own food through photosynthesis. Following the producers, there are primary consumers like insects, which feed on plants. Next, secondary consumers such as mice might consume insects. As we move further up, there are tertiary consumers like snakes, which can eat mice, and finally, quaternary consumers such as birds might hunt snakes.
The function of a food chain is to illustrate the path of energy transfer from one organism to another. Each step in this chain is called a trophic level, and energy diminishes as it ascends the chain due to energy being lost as heat when organisms consume one another.
Understanding the food chain helps to comprehend the flow of energy in ecosystems, indicating how energy enters the system through photosynthetic organisms and travels through various trophic levels.

Energy Transformation

The process of energy transformation is pivotal in understanding life processes such as photosynthesis and metabolism. In biology, energy transformation refers to changing one form of energy into another. For instance, when plants absorb sunlight, they convert this light energy into chemical energy in the form of glucose via photosynthesis. This energy is then transferred through the food chain as organisms consume plants and are themselves consumed by other organisms.
In broader terms, energy transformation is essential because it ensures the continuity of life cycles. All living organisms depend on this transformation, as it allows for energy storage and use in growth, reproduction, and other critical biological functions.

• In plants: Light energy is converted to chemical energy.
• In animals: Chemical energy (from food) is converted into kinetic and thermal energy.

Recognizing these transformations is fundamental for anyone studying biology as it provides an insight into how life persists and adapts on Earth.

Photosynthetic Organisms

Photosynthetic organisms are crucial to life on Earth. They serve as the primary producers in most ecosystems, offering both nutritional support and oxygen. Photosynthesis is a unique ability of these organisms to convert light energy from the sun into chemical energy stored in glucose, a sugar.
This process takes place predominantly in plants, algae, and some bacteria. The green pigment chlorophyll in these organisms absorbs sunlight, sparking a series of reactions that ultimately produce glucose and oxygen. This not only fuels the organism but also provides food and oxygen for consumers within ecosystems.
By nurturing the fundamental base of the food web, photosynthetic organisms facilitate the existence and energy dynamics of various life forms on this planet. As the only organisms capable of this transformation, they embody an essential part of environmental equilibrium and sustainability.

Light Energy Conversion

Light energy conversion is a core concept in understanding how energy enters the food chain. In photosynthesis, plants and certain microorganisms capture light energy from the sun and store it as chemical energy in glucose. This process is facilitated by chlorophyll, the green pigment in plant cells, which absorbs sunlight.
During photosynthesis, the light energy drives the chemical reactions that split water molecules and absorb carbon dioxide, culminating in the production of glucose and oxygen. The glucose is then used by plants as a source of energy to grow and carry out cellular functions. This process not only sustains the plant itself but also serves as the primary entry point of energy into the food web.
Without the conversion of light energy to chemical energy by photosynthetic organisms, the energy required to support most life forms would halt, highlighting the pivotal role of this process in sustaining life on Earth.