Living Environment Regents Practice Test

Which of the following correctly pairs an organism with its characteristic?

1. Bacteria — capable of photosynthesis and aerobic respiration.

2. Plants — carry out respiration and autotrophic nutrition.

3. Fish — rely solely on anaerobic respiration.

4. Insects — exclusively autotrophic in their nutrition.

The correct answer is: Plants — carry out respiration and autotrophic nutrition.

The pairing of plants with the characteristic of carrying out respiration and autotrophic nutrition is accurate. Plants are unique organisms that engage in photosynthesis, utilizing sunlight to synthesize their food (a form of autotrophic nutrition). During photosynthesis, they convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen, which enables them to produce their own food. Additionally, plants also undergo respiration, a process vital for energy production, where they break down glucose to release energy, typically in the presence of oxygen. This dual ability allows them to thrive in various environments. The other choices do not reflect accurate characteristics. While bacteria can perform photosynthesis and aerobic respiration, not all bacteria do; some are only anaerobic. Fish primarily rely on aerobic respiration, using the oxygen dissolved in water, not solely anaerobic processes. Insects, on the other hand, are heterotrophic, meaning they obtain their nutrition from other organisms rather than being autotrophic and capable of producing their food independently.