1. Photosynthesis: Plants, like grass, absorb sunlight and use it to convert carbon dioxide and water into sugars (glucose) through a process called photosynthesis. This glucose is a form of stored energy.
2. Herbivory: The rabbit eats the grass, consuming the stored energy in the form of glucose.
3. Cellular Respiration: The rabbit's body breaks down the glucose through cellular respiration, releasing energy in the form of ATP. This energy is used for various bodily functions, like movement, growth, and maintaining body temperature.
So, the sun's energy travels through this chain:
* Sun -> Plants -> Rabbit -> Rabbit's body functions
This is a classic example of how energy flows through ecosystems, starting with the sun and moving through producers (plants) to consumers (rabbits).