Energy From Sunlight Practice Test

Model: Sunlight → cactus (producer) → mouse (consumer) → snake (consumer). The arrows represent energy flow through organisms. Matter (such as water and minerals) can move through the environment and be reused, but energy flows one way. Sunlight is the main energy source for most ecosystems.

Which statement correctly distinguishes energy flow from matter movement using the model?

Model: Sunlight → mangrove tree (producer) → crab (consumer) → raccoon (consumer). Arrows represent energy flow only. Matter can move and be reused in the environment, but energy flows one way. Sunlight is the main energy source for most ecosystems.

A student says: “Because crabs live in water, the environment provides all the energy the crab needs, not the mangrove tree.” Which evaluation best matches the model?