Plants, as they fix carbon dioxide, are called

Options

A. heterotrophs
B. chemoautotrophs
C. photoautotrophs
D. decomposers

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding the Question**: The question asks us to identify what we call plants that fix carbon dioxide. This is a key concept in ecology and plant biology.

2. **Analyzing the Options**:
- **Option 1: Heterotrophs**: These are organisms that cannot produce their own food and must consume other organisms (plants or animals) for energy. Since they do not fix carbon dioxide, this option is incorrect.
- **Option 2: Chemoautotrophs**: These organisms obtain energy through the oxidation of inorganic substances. While they can fix carbon dioxide, they are not the primary type of organisms we refer to when discussing plants. Therefore, this option is also incorrect.
- **Option 3: Photoautotrophs**: This term refers to organisms, primarily plants, that use sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen through the process of photosynthesis. Since the question specifically mentions plants fixing carbon dioxide, this is the correct answer.
- **Option 4: Decomposers**: These are organisms that break down dead or decaying material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem. They do not fix carbon dioxide, making this option incorrect as well.

3. **Conclusion**: Based on the analysis of the options, the correct answer is **Photoautotrophs** (Option 3), as these are the organisms that fix carbon dioxide through the process of photosynthesis.

**Final Answer**: Plants that fix carbon dioxide are called **Photoautotrophs**.

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