Which component of the ecosystem converts inorganic material into organic material with the help of the radiant energy of the sun?

Autotrophs

The correct answer is Option (4)- Autotrophs.

Autotrophs are the components of an ecosystem that have the ability to convert inorganic substances into organic material with the help of the radiant energy of the sun through the process of photosynthesis. They are primarily represented by plants, algae, and some bacteria.

Autotrophs, also known as primary producers, utilize the energy from sunlight to synthesize their own organic compounds, such as carbohydrates, using carbon dioxide and water. This process, known as photosynthesis, involves capturing light energy through pigments like chlorophyll and using it to drive the conversion of inorganic substances into organic matter.

Through photosynthesis, autotrophs transform radiant energy from the sun into chemical energy stored in the form of organic compounds. They play a fundamental role in the ecosystem by serving as the primary source of energy for other organisms. They form the base of the food chain, and their production of organic material supports the growth and survival of consumers (heterotrophs) in higher trophic levels.

Consumers (option a), including herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores, do not convert inorganic into organic material but obtain energy by consuming other organisms.

Decomposers (option b) break down organic matter into simpler inorganic compounds, contributing to nutrient recycling, but they do not directly convert inorganic substances into organic material. Zooplankton (option c) are consumers in aquatic ecosystems and do not convert inorganic into organic material either.

Therefore, autotrophs are responsible for the conversion of inorganic into organic material using the radiant energy of the sun, making them the key components involved in the primary production and energy flow within an ecosystem.