Which group of organisms is capable of performing photosynthesis?

• A. Animals and fungi
• B. All bacteria, including those that live in the dark
• C. All protists, regardless of their organelles
• D. Plants, algae, and some bacteria (e.g., cyanobacteria)

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that photosynthesis is the process by which organisms convert light energy into chemical energy, typically using chlorophyll or similar pigments.
2. Recognize that animals and fungi do not perform photosynthesis because they lack the necessary pigments and organelles (like chloroplasts) to capture light energy.
3. Know that not all bacteria perform photosynthesis; only certain groups like cyanobacteria have the pigments and machinery to carry out photosynthesis, while many bacteria live in environments without light and do not photosynthesize.
4. Identify that among protists, only those with chloroplasts or similar organelles can perform photosynthesis; not all protists have these organelles, so photosynthesis is not universal in this group.
5. Conclude that the groups capable of photosynthesis include plants, algae (which are protists with chloroplasts), and some bacteria such as cyanobacteria, because they possess the necessary structures and pigments for photosynthesis.