EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -Encyclopedic Entry Vocabulary. A heterotroph is an organism that eats other plants or animals for energy and nutrients. The term stems from the Greek words hetero for “other” and trophe for “nourishment.”

Detailed explanation-2: -In contrast to autotrophs, heterotrophs are unable to produce organic substances from inorganic ones. They must rely on an organic source of carbon that has originated as part of another living organism. Heterotrophs depend either directly or indirectly on autotrophs for nutrients and food energy.

Detailed explanation-3: -Heterotrophs get their food by ingesting organic molecules, such as plants or other organisms. Organic molecules are important for the cells of an organism because they are converted into energy that the organism can use. Animals and even human beings must ingest food to obtain organic molecules.

Detailed explanation-4: -Heterotrophic nutrition is the mode of nutrition where the organism is unable to prepare its food and hence, depends upon plants or other organisms for nutrition.

Detailed explanation-5: -Decomposers are heterotrophs that break down and feed on the remains of dead organisms and other organic wastes such as feces. In the process, they release simple inorganic molecules back to the environment.