AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Nutrients are chemical substances found in every living thing on Earth. They are necessary to the lives of people, plants, animals, and all other organisms. Nutrients help break down food to give organisms energy. They are used in every process of an organism’s body.

Detailed explanation-2: -The mode of nutrition in which organisms make food themselves from simple substances is called autotrophic (auto = self; trophos = nourishment) nutrition. Therefore, plants are called autotrophs. Animals and most other organisms take in food prepared by plants. They are called heterotrophs (heteros = other).

Detailed explanation-3: -Answer. Heterotrophic organisms acquire their nutrients by the ingestion of other organisms. There are three main types of heterotrophs: saprophytes, parasites, and holozoic organisms.

Detailed explanation-4: -All organisms need nutrients for energy, growth, and repair. Every organism has its own way of obtaining nutrients. Some organisms, such as animals and protozoans, get nutrients from ingesting food. Plants and algae make their own food through the process of photosynthesis.

Detailed explanation-5: -Water is the most important nutrient. Adequate supply of acceptable quality water is crucial for high levels of production and absolutely paramount when animals are stressed.