Question

Which of the following is an autotroph?

• A. Algae
• B. Virus
• C. Fungus
• D. Man

Answer 1

The correct option is A

Algae

The correct option is A

Explanation of the correct option:

1. The organisms which possess the tendency to generate their food are called autotrophs.
2. Algae is a group of predominantly photosynthetic, aquatic, and nucleus comprising organisms, which are devoid of true stems, roots, leaves, and unique multicellular reproductive compositions of plants.
3. The algae possess pigments like chlorophyll and chloroplast organelle, which help them to captivate sunlight and transform it into chemical energy by the process termed photosynthesis.
4. Therefore, algae possess the tendency to produce their food and thus are considered autotrophs.

Explanation of the incorrect option:

Option B:

1. Viruses are small obligate intracellular parasites, which are dependent on the cellular machinery of their hosts to survive and reproduce.
2. The viruses are devoid of the metabolic machinery of their own to synthesize proteins or generate energy.

Option C:

1. Fungi are saprophytic multicellular organisms, which feed on dead animal and plant remains.
2. Fungi releases enzymes onto the dead plant or animal and cause decay, these enzymes dissociate the complex compounds into the simple soluble ones, which can be captivated easily by the fungal species.

Option D:

1. A human is a mammal, a culture-bearing primate, which comes under the genus Homo.
2. Human beings are heterotrophs, that is, they are dependent on others for their food.
3. Humans are considered omnivores, that is, they feed on both plants and animals.

Final answer: Algae is an autotroph.