Which organisms primarily perform photosynthesis?

Photosynthesis is the process by which organisms convert light energy, usually from the sun, into chemical energy stored in glucose, using carbon dioxide and water. The primary organisms performing this vital process are green plants and algae.

Green plants contain chlorophyll, the green pigment that plays a crucial role in capturing light energy. This energy is then used to transform carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and water from the soil into glucose and oxygen. Algae, which can be found in various aquatic environments, also possess chlorophyll and utilize a similar mechanism to perform photosynthesis. Together, these organisms contribute significantly to the Earth's oxygen supply and serve as the base of various food chains.

Other options include organisms that do not perform photosynthesis. Bacteria and fungi are primarily heterotrophic, obtaining energy by breaking down organic matter rather than synthesizing their own food through photosynthesis. For mammals and reptiles, these groups are also heterotrophic and do not have the necessary adaptations to perform photosynthesis. Insects and amphibians rely on consuming other organisms for energy, as they lack the cellular structures required for photosynthetic processes. Thus, green plants and algae are the dominant groups capable of carrying out photosynthesis effectively.