Heterotrophs: The Role of Organisms that Rely on Other Living Organisms for Energy and Nutrients

heterotroph

an organism that obtains food by consuming other things/cannot make its own food

Heterotrophs are organisms that depend on other living organisms or organic matter as a source of energy and nutrients. Unlike autotrophs, which can produce their own food through photosynthesis, heterotrophs must consume other organisms or organic material in order to survive.

There are many different types of heterotrophs, including herbivores that eat plants, carnivores that eat other animals, and omnivores that eat both plants and animals. Some heterotrophs are parasites, feeding on a host organism, while others are decomposers, breaking down dead organic matter and recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.

Heterotrophs play an important role in food webs and ecosystems, as they are responsible for recycling nutrients and energy. They are also important sources of food for other organisms, and their populations can have a significant impact on the balance of an ecosystem.

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