Question

The internal (cellular) energy reserve in autotrophs is

• A. Glycogen
• B. Protein
• C. Starch
• D. Fatty acid

Answer 1

The correct option is C

Starch

The correct option is C.

Explanation of the correct option:

1. Starch molecules are used as storage for reserve food.
2. A chain of monomer units is created when the extra glucose molecules produced during photosynthesis are linked together by glycosidic linkage (glucose).
3. Granules of starch are kept in the stacked cell organelles called chloroplasts.
4. Potato tubers, sago stem pith, and corn, wheat, and rice seeds are a few examples of plant storage components.
5. Enzymatic activity breaks down the starch molecules into their monomer glucose units, which diffuse out of the cell to feed the plant tissues during a food deficit.

Explanation of the incorrect option:

Option A:

1. Green plants that photosynthesize their food make up autotrophs.
2. Starch is used to store energy in autotrophs, whereas glycogen is used to store food in heterotrophs.

Option B:

1. An organism that produces complex organic compounds (like carbohydrates, fats, and proteins) using carbon from simple substances like carbon dioxide is referred to as an autotroph or primary producer.
2. Photosynthesis or inorganic chemical reactions are typically used as the sources of energy for these processes (chemosynthesis).

Option D:

1. The bulk of lipids in the world are produced by plants.
2. For both humans and animals, these lipids constitute the primary source of energy and vital fatty acids.
   

Final answer: The internal (cellular) energy reserve in autotrophs is starch.