What two essential components do pond animals obtain from their food to survive?

Pond animals primarily obtain energy and nutrients from their food, which are critical for survival. Energy is necessary for carrying out vital life processes such as movement, growth, reproduction, and maintaining homeostasis. Nutrients, including proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals, are required for building and repairing tissues, synthesizing enzymes and hormones, and supporting overall metabolic functions.

While water and shelter play important roles in the habitat of pond animals, they are not components obtained directly from food. Similarly, oxygen and carbon dioxide are gases in the water necessary for respiration and photosynthesis but are not derived from food. Sunlight and minerals are also essential for the broader ecosystem—sunlight for photosynthesis in plants and minerals for various biological processes—but they do not represent the fundamental components that animal consumers obtain from their diet. Thus, energy and nutrients are the two essential components that directly support the survival and functioning of pond animals.