A group of hikers find a fallen tree in a forest. The dead tree trunk is covered by mushrooms and other fungus. Later, they find
a wild apple tree with many apples lying on the forest floor beneath the tree. The apples are all rotten and decayed by bacteria. Which statement BEST summarizes how these fungus and bacteria organisms are obtaining their food energy? A) The fungus and bacteria are both parasitic organisms that obtain food from other living organisms. B) The fungus and bacteria are both obtaining their energy by manufacturing food from minerals and sunlight. C) Both fungus and bacteria require well-fertilized soil in which to obtain nutrients needed for chemosynthesis. D) The fungus and bacteria organisms are obtaining the energy they need by decomposing organic matter like dead trees and old apples.
