Chapter 7, Problem 47A

Summary Introduction

To determine:Whether Algae are autotrophic or heterotrophic.

Introduction:

All organisms can be classified either as autotrophic or heterotrophic.

Autotrophic organisms are those which prepare their own food. They can be photo-autotrophic, also called phototrophs or chemo-autotrophic, also called chemotrophs. Phototrophs are organisms that carry out photon capture to produce complex organic compounds and acquire energy. They use the energy from light to carry out various cellular metabolic processes. Chemotrophs uses organic or inorganic molecules to obtain energy to carry out various metabolic processes.

Heterotroph: A heterotroph is an organism that cannot manufacture its own food by carbon fixation and therefore derives its intake of nutrition from other sources of organic carbon, mainly plant or animal matter.

Answer to Problem 47A

As algae possess chlorophyll and carry out photosynthesis so it is concluded, that algae belong to autotrophic organisms.

Explanation of Solution

Algae belong to thallophyta, and can be defined group of aquatic organisms that have the ability to conduct photosynthesis. Algae can be multicellular or unicellular. Unicellular algae occur most frequently in water, especially in plankton. Algae are eukaryotic organisms that have no roots, stems, or leaves but do have chlorophyll and other pigments for carrying out photosynthesis.