Final answer:
A mixotroph is an organism that gets energy from sunlight and carbon from ingesting other organisms, utilizing both autotrophic and heterotrophic nutritional methods.
Step-by-step explanation:
The organism in question that gets its energy from sunlight but obtains carbon by ingesting other organisms is known as a mixotroph. Mixotrophs have a dual nutritional mode, combining the methods of autotrophs and heterotrophs. They use sunlight for photosynthesis to produce energy and at the same time, they can ingest other organisms or organic substances to gain carbon.
Heterotrophs, on the other hand, cannot produce their food through photosynthesis and must rely entirely on consuming other organisms for their energy and carbon needs. Protists that absorb nutrients from dead organisms are known as saprobes, and they play a vital role in decomposition and nutrient cycling.
They are incapable of photosynthesis and rely on consuming other organisms for their energy and carbon needs. Examples of heterotrophs include animals, fungi, and some bacteria.