Chapter 7, Problem 36POS

Making a Living. Consider various methods by which life “makes a living” (the ways in which it acquires energy for metabolism). For example, some microbes use direct chemical reactions to obtain energy, plants most commonly rely on sunlight, and animals generally depend on consuming plants or other animals. Discuss the relative merits of the schemes generally used by plants and animals. Do you think it’s plausible that an intelligent species could obtain its energy from sunlight? For example, would a chlorophyll-skinned mammal be possible? Defend your opinion by drawing on your understanding of basic concepts of energy.