What represents the conversion of energy in heterotrophs?

The conversion of energy in heterotrophs is best represented by the process where oxygen and glucose are transformed into energy. Heterotrophs, such as animals and humans, obtain their energy by consuming organic compounds, primarily glucose, which is derived from the food they eat.

During cellular respiration, heterotrophs utilize oxygen to break down glucose, releasing energy that is stored in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). This process not only produces energy but also forms carbon dioxide and water as byproducts. Thus, the reaction highlights the essential role of both oxygen and glucose in the metabolic pathways that convert stored chemical energy into usable energy for growth, maintenance, and other life processes.

The other options do not accurately describe the energy conversion process in heterotrophs. For example, sunlight to glucose is related to photosynthesis, a process utilized by autotrophs like plants, rather than heterotrophs. Similarly, water to glucose does not describe any conversion relevant to energy in heterotrophs, and while oxygen to carbon dioxide happens during respiration, it does not capture the full picture of how energy is derived from glucose.