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7.0: Introduction

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    153921

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    The image shows a map of the world, colored by the levels of chlorophyll a on land and in the ocean.
    Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\) This world map shows Earth’s distribution of photosynthetic activity determined by chlorophyll a concentrations. On land, chlorophyll is evident from terrestrial plants, and within oceanic zones, from chlorophyll from phytoplankton. (credit: modification of work by SeaWiFS Project, NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center and ORBIMAGE)

    The metabolic processes in all organisms—from bacteria to humans—require energy. To get this energy, many organisms access stored energy by eating, that is, by ingesting other organisms. But where does the stored energy in food originate? All of this energy can be traced back to photosynthesis.

    Contributors and Attributions

    Remixed and/or curated from the following works:

    Clark, M. A., Douglas, M., & Choi, J. (2018). 2.5.1 Introduction. In Biology 2e. OpenStax (CC BY 4.0; Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/biology-2e/pages/1-introduction(opens in new window)).

     
     
     
     
     
     

    7.0: Introduction is shared under a CC BY 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Katherine Harker (Citrus College).