Question

Energy in most ecosystems must flow through autotrophs because ______.

a. only autotrophs can convert solar energy into chemical energy
b. autotrophs are simpler organisms than heterotrophs
c. heterotrophs only generate a small fraction of their energy from photosynthesis.
d. all of the above

Answer 1

The right answer for the question that is being asked and shown above is that: "d. all of the above." Energy in most ecosystems must flow through autotrophs because heterotrophs only generate a small fraction of their energy from photosynthesis; only autotrophs can convert solar energy into chemical energy; autotrophs are simpler organisms than heterotrophs

Answer 2

Answer: Option A

Step-by-step explanation:

Only autotrophs have the ability to convert solar energy into chemical energy by the process known as photosynthesis. The autotrophs can trap all the radiant energy and only 10% of total energy that autotrophs have is transferred to another tropic level.

The energy from the producers are transferred to the herbivores and 10% of the total energy the herbivores have is transferred to another levels.

So, the energy flow takes place through the autotrophs because only they have the ability to perform photosynthesis.