Watching salt crystals form as ocean water evaporates, a student says, "Look—more and more crystals are appearing. The ocean water is alive!" Which statement is an accurate evaluation of the student's remark?
◦ The student is incorrect because the solution is processing energy from the sun rather than gaining energy from other organisms, so the ocean water is not alive.
◦ The student is correct because crystals are formed by processing energy from the sun to create new structures, so ocean water is alive.
◦ The student is correct: Crystals are ordered structures and they are reproducing, so the ocean water is alive.
◦ The student is incorrect because all of the crystals reproduce the same kind of crystals with no variation to provide adaptation, so the ocean water is not alive.
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