SECTION III Questions 21-25 Directions: For each of the questions below, ONE or MORE of the response(s) is (are) correct. Decide which of the response(s) is (are) correct. Then choose:

Statement 1: "Producers are autotrophic organisms."

• Autotrophic means an organism can produce its own food, typically through photosynthesis (like plants) or chemosynthesis. Producers, such as plants and algae, fit this definition as they form the base of food chains by converting light energy into chemical energy.
• Therefore, statement 1 is correct.

Statement 2: "Each organism has many food sources."

• This statement claims that every organism in a food chain has many food sources. While many consumers (e.g., omnivores or generalist predators) do have multiple food sources, this is not true for all organisms. Producers, for example, create their own food and do not "consume" many food sources in the same way consumers do. Their energy source is typically sunlight, and nutrient sources are inorganic.
• Therefore, statement 2 is incorrect.

Statement 3: "Producers release carbon dioxide during photosynthesis."

• During photosynthesis, producers take in carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and release oxygen as a byproduct. They release carbon dioxide during cellular respiration, but not during photosynthesis.
• Therefore, statement 3 is incorrect.

Based on the analysis:

• Statement 1 is correct.
• Statement 2 is incorrect.
• Statement 3 is incorrect.

Only statement 1 is correct. Comparing this to the given options:

• A: If 1, 2 and 3 are all correct. (Incorrect)
• B: If 1 and 2 only are correct. (Incorrect)
• C: If 2 and 3 only are correct. (Incorrect)
• D: If 1 only is correct. (Correct)

The final answer is $\text{D}$.