Which statement best describes how deep-sea producers differ from other producers? A. Deep-sea producers must generate twice as much energy due to larger consumers nearby.

B. Deep-sea producers must absorb twice as much energy due to higher productivity rates in the area.

C. Deep-sea producers have adapted mechanisms to conduct photosynthesis with less visible light

D. Deep-sea producers have adapted to conduct respiration instead of photosynthesis due to lack of light

C. Deep-sea producers have adapted mechanisms to conduct photosynthesis with less visible light

Explanation:

A. is false because the producers are not producing energy for the consumers; they only do it for themselves.

D. is false because if we're discussing producers, they won't do respiration instead of photosynthesis. I mean, technically they could if we're talking about photorespiration here, but that wouldn't be caused by a lack of light in the first place -- simply an abundance of oxygen and the history of rubisco (the carbon-fixating enzyme).

B. doesn't make sense because if this is the case, the productivity would only go up as a result, meaning the producers must absorb more as a result until it would be impossible.

C. makes the most sense to me overall because if the producers are in the deep sea, that means they do not have much access to visible light and thus have to adapt, such as by growing taller. (A good example's brown algae (a.k.a. seaweed).

Cheers. =-)