Question

carbon is exchanged within the biosphere when heterotrophs - organisms that consume other organisms for food - consume autotrophs or other heterotrophs. for example, when a cow eats grass, it consumes the carbon - based carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins that make up the grass. these molecules are broken down and rearranged in the cows cells during digestion. select the true statements. carbon leaves the biosphere when heterotrophs consume autotrophs. heterotrophs can only obtain carbon from autotrophs, not other heterotrophs. carbon - based molecules get broken down inside heterotrophs during digestion. autotrophs only consume heterotrophs, not other autotrophs.

Explanation:

1. Carbon does not leave the biosphere when heterotrophs consume autotrophs as it is part of the carbon - cycle within the biosphere.
2. Heterotrophs can obtain carbon from both autotrophs and other heterotrophs.
3. The text states that when a cow (a heterotroph) eats grass, carbon - based molecules in the grass are broken down during digestion in the cow's cells.
4. Autotrophs produce their own food through processes like photosynthesis and do not consume heterotrophs or other autotrophs for food.

Answer:

Carbon - based molecules get broken down inside heterotrophs during digestion.