What proportion of Earth's ecosystems is powered by photosynthesis?
AAbout 49 percent
BAbout 69 percent
CAbout 89 percent
DAbout 99 percent
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: D. About 99 percent
1. Photosynthesis stores solar energy as high-energy electrons in the carbon-carbon bonds of carbohydrates.
2. Those carbohydrates are the energy source heterotrophs use to power the synthesis of adenosine triphosphate.
3. Photosynthesis therefore powers 99 percent of Earth's ecosystems.
4. Even a top predator sits at the end of a chain that began with sunlight and a green plant.
_Source: OpenStax Biology (1st ed., CC BY 4.0), Ch 8 "Photosynthesis", section 8.1 Overview of Photosynthesis_
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