NEET BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Both primary (herbivores) and secondary (carnivores and omnivores) consumers are heterotrophs, while primary producers are autotrophs. A third type of heterotrophic consumer is a detritivore.

Detailed explanation-2: -Consumers cannot make their own food. They depend directly or indirectly on producers for nutrition. They are called heterotrophs.

Detailed explanation-3: -Heterotrophic nutrition can be one of three types – holozoic, saprophytic or parasitic. Holozoic nutrition can be seen in most vertebrates and some unicellular organisms like the amoeba. Saprophytic nutrition is where the organisms feed on dead and decaying matter.

Detailed explanation-4: -Heterotrophs consume other organisms to get their energy to survive, that is they obtain their carbon from organic compounds. They may be classified into two major groups: (1) photoheterotrophs and (2) chemoheterotrophs. Basically, photoheterotrophs use light energy whereas chemoheterotrophs do not.