Which group uses light to make food?

Which group uses light to make food?

• A. Heterotrophic
• B. Autotrophic
• C. Photosynthetic Bacteria
• D. Chemotrophic

Answer: (C)

Light provides the energy for making food through photosynthesis, a process used by phototrophs. Photosynthetic bacteria capture light energy to convert carbon dioxide into organic molecules, so they are autotrophs that rely on light to synthesize their own food. Heterotrophic organisms must obtain pre-formed organic food from others. While some autotrophs use light, not all do; some rely on chemical energy instead (chemosynthesis). Chemotrophic organisms derive energy from chemical reactions and don’t use light to build organic matter. Because the question asks who uses light to make food, photosynthetic bacteria are the best example.

Light provides the energy for making food through photosynthesis, a process used by phototrophs. Photosynthetic bacteria capture light energy to convert carbon dioxide into organic molecules, so they are autotrophs that rely on light to synthesize their own food. Heterotrophic organisms must obtain pre-formed organic food from others. While some autotrophs use light, not all do; some rely on chemical energy instead (chemosynthesis). Chemotrophic organisms derive energy from chemical reactions and don’t use light to build organic matter. Because the question asks who uses light to make food, photosynthetic bacteria are the best example.