Question

Heterotrophs are defined as organisms that

Answer 1

Heterotrophs are defined as organisms that cannot produce their own food and therefore rely on consuming other organisms or organic compounds for their nutrition. They obtain energy and nutrients by feeding on plants, animals, or decomposing organic matter. This group includes a wide variety of organisms, such as animals, fungi, and many bacteria and protists. In contrast to autotrophs, which can produce their own food from inorganic substances (like sunlight in the case of photosynthetic organisms), heterotrophs play a crucial role in ecosystems by contributing to nutrient cycling and energy transfer.