Question

Heterotrophs are organisms that:

Option 1: Produce food from inorganic molecules or sunlight.
Option 2: Can survive without mercy.
Option 3: Must consume other organisms to get energy.
Option 4: None of the above

Answer 1

Heterotrophs are organisms that must consume other organisms to obtain energy, as they cannot produce food from inorganic molecules. They are consumers that include animals, fungi, protists, and bacteria. Heterotrophs are classified based on what they consume and are dependent on autotrophs for energy.

Step-by-step explanation:

Heterotrophs are organisms that must consume other organisms to get energy. As they cannot produce food from inorganic molecules or sunlight, and cannot survive on energy sources other than organic matter, they are known as consumers. These organisms include all animals, fungi, as well as many protists and bacteria. They can further be classified as herbivores, carnivores, omnivores, or decomposers, based on their dietary habits. Unlike autotrophs, which can synthesize their own food through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis, heterotrophs are dependent on the organic molecules created by autotrophs. All the energy consumed by heterotrophs has its origins in autotrophs, making heterotrophs integral components of the food chain. In fact, the survival of heterotrophs is contingent upon the presence of autotrophs, which are the producers in an ecosystem.