Question

How does a heterotrophic organism obtain energy and organic molecules?

Options:

A) By converting sunlight into energy through photosynthesis
B) By directly absorbing nutrients from the environment
C) By consuming other organisms for energy and organic molecules
D) By fixing nitrogen in the soil
E) By producing its own food through chemosynthesis

Answer 1

Heterotrophic organisms gain energy and organic molecules C. by consuming or absorbing them from other organisms or their byproducts.

Step-by-step explanation:

A heterotrophic organism obtains energy and organic molecules by consuming other organisms. These organisms are unable to produce their own food through processes such as photosynthesis or chemosynthesis, unlike autotrophs that can convert sunlight or chemical energy into organic molecules. Instead, heterotrophs, including animals, fungi, and many bacteria, must eat or absorb organic material from other sources. Some heterotrophs may absorb nutrients from dead organisms or organic wastes, but all share the common trait of relying on external sources of organic molecules for energy and carbon.

Heterotrophic organisms obtain energy and organic molecules by consuming other organisms for energy and organic molecules. This process is known as heterotrophic nutrition. They rely on the organic compounds produced by autotrophic organisms, such as plants, algae, and some bacteria, through processes like photosynthesis or chemosynthesis. Heterotrophs cannot produce their own food, so they must obtain it by feeding on other organisms or by directly absorbing nutrients from the environment.