Final answer:
Heterotrophic organisms acquire their carbon in an organic form, depending on nutrients provided by autotrophs and breaking them down to obtain energy.
Step-by-step explanation:
Heterotrophic organisms acquire their carbon in an organic form. They depend on complex organic carbon compounds as nutrients, which are provided to them by autotrophs, such as plants and certain bacteria that synthesize organic compounds from inorganic carbon dioxide (CO₂). Humans, many animals, fungi, and many bacteria, including E. coli, are examples of heterotrophic organisms. These organisms consume high-energy carbon compounds from autotrophs and break them down through respiration to obtain cellular energy, like ATP.