Which organism group includes plants and some bacteria that synthesize their own organic matter?

• A. Tombolo
• B. Bathyal Zone
• C. Autotroph
• D. Benthic

Answer: (C)

Organisms that can synthesize their own organic matter from inorganic sources are autotrophs. Plants do this through photosynthesis, turning light energy, carbon dioxide, and water into glucose and oxygen. Some bacteria also perform autotrophy, using chemical energy to fix carbon in a process called chemosynthesis. Because both plants and these bacteria make their own organic material, they fall under autotrophs.

The other terms describe locations or habitats rather than a biological group: tombolo is a landform connecting an island to the mainland, the bathyal zone is a depth range in the ocean, and benthic refers to organisms living on the sea floor.