University of Central Florida (UCF) BSC1005 Biological Principles Practice Exam 1

The correct answer is the group consisting of green plants, algae, and some bacteria because they contain chlorophyll, a pigment crucial for capturing light energy from the sun. Photosynthesis is the process by which these organisms convert light energy into chemical energy, in the form of glucose, and release oxygen as a byproduct.

Green plants are the most well-known photosynthetic organisms, utilizing sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water to produce glucose and oxygen. Algae, which can be found in both aquatic and terrestrial environments, also perform photosynthesis and contribute significantly to the Earth's oxygen supply. Furthermore, certain bacteria, such as cyanobacteria, have the ability to photosynthesize using photosystems similar to those in plants and algae, thereby playing an essential role in ecosystems, particularly in nutrient cycling and oxygen production.

In contrast, animals and fungi do not primarily engage in photosynthesis; instead, animals generally rely on consuming other organisms for energy, while fungi are heterotrophic and acquire nutrients through decomposition and absorption of organic matter. Hence, the diverse group including green plants, algae, and some bacteria accurately represents the organisms primarily involved in photosynthesis.