True or False: Living organisms extract energy from their surroundings by utilizing sunlight or chemicals.

The statement is true because living organisms have developed various metabolic pathways to extract energy from their surroundings. This energy extraction occurs through two primary processes: photosynthesis and chemosynthesis.

Photosynthetic organisms, known as phototrophs, capture sunlight and convert it into chemical energy, using it to produce organic molecules from carbon dioxide and water. This process is foundational to many ecosystems, as it forms the basis for energy flow within food webs.

On the other hand, chemotrophic organisms, or chemotrophs, obtain energy by oxidizing chemical compounds, often in environments where sunlight is not available. These can include bacteria that rely on the oxidation of inorganic substances such as hydrogen sulfide or iron.

Thus, both phototrophs and chemotrophs play crucial roles in the energy dynamics of ecosystems. This highlights that various living organisms, regardless of their specific strategies, are capable of extracting energy from either sunlight or chemical sources, making the statement accurate.