Phytoplankton, shown in the first image, are microscopic organisms that can be found in freshwater and salt water environments. They perform photosynthesis to get energy and act as an important food source for larger organisms, such as the whale that is shown in the second image. Which characteristic describes the whale but not its food source, the phytoplankton?
Answer
A
The whale is unicellular.
B
The whale is a prokaryote.
C
The whale is heterotrophic.
D
The whale has cell walls.
Explanation
A whale gets energy by consuming other organisms, so it is heterotrophic. The phytoplankton described here photosynthesize to obtain energy, making them autotrophic. A whale is not unicellular or a prokaryote, and it does not have cell walls.
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