Which of the following best characterizes energy in organisms?

Energy in organisms is essential for any living organism because it supports all life processes, including growth, reproduction, cellular respiration, and metabolism. Living organisms require energy to maintain homeostasis, facilitate biochemical reactions, and perform essential functions such as repairing cells, synthesizing proteins, and transporting molecules across membranes. Without energy, organisms would not be able to sustain life, highlighting its critical role in biological systems.

While the idea that energy is inert and passive does not hold true, as energy is continually transformed and utilized by living systems, suggesting movement is the only requirement for energy is misleading. Energy supports a wide array of processes beyond movement, like digestion and cellular repair. Additionally, while energy has a significant chemical component, characterizing it as purely chemical overlooks the various forms, such as thermal, electrical, and mechanical energy, that organisms utilize to carry out functions vital for survival.