Question

Heterotrophs are organisms that consume other organisms in order to gain nutrients. Compare heterotrophs that eat autotrophs to heterotrophs that eat other heterotrophs in terms of how they obtain nutrients. Explain your answer in one to two sentences. Make it simple, coherent, and intended for 9th grade.

Answer 1

Heterotrophs that eat autotrophs, like plants and algae, get their nutrients directly from these organisms that make their own food through photosynthesis. In contrast, heterotrophs that eat other heterotrophs, like carnivores, obtain nutrients by consuming animals that have already eaten other organisms, making their food chain indirect.