Question

If the sun were to suddenly stop providing energy to Earth, most ecosystems would vanish. Which of the following ecosystems would likely survive the longest after this hypothetical disaster? A) tropical rain forest B) tundra C) benthic ocean D) grassland E) desert

Answer 1

Answer:

The correct answer is C) benthic ocean

Explanation:

Sun is the ultimate source of energy for almost all the organisms present on the earth. The organism that especially lives on land are highly dependent on solar energy because all the plants and most algae require sunlight to make their food and they are the primary produces on which other organism are dependent.

Benthic ecosystem are the ecosystem that is present at the very depth of the ocean or on the ocean floor. So in that much depth, there is very little or no penetration of sunlight occurs. So the ecosystem there does not directly depend on sunlight for there survival. So they benthic ocean ecosystem would likely survive the longest.

Answer 2

Answer:

Option (C)

Explanation:

Benthic ocean ecosystem refers to the deeper region of the water bodies such as oceans, seas, and comprises the bottom surface and the organism that exists in this ecosystem is termed as benthos.

The depth of this zone usually ranges from 3000 meters to about 9000 meters (up to the ocean floor). This depth is so high that sunlight cannot penetrate into this zone, and this zone is not dependent on the energy that s provided by the sun. The organisms living in this dark zone has the ability to withstand the extreme pressure condition and can survive in the cold temperature.

Thus, the benthic ocean ecosystem will be most likely to survive the longest if the sun does not provide energy.

Hence, the correct answer is option (C).