Autotrophs and heterotrophs are two diffent organisms with distinct modes of nutrition state how how are they different from each other ?
Answers
Answer:
Autotrophs are organisms that can produce their own food from the substances available in their surroundings using light (photosynthesis) or chemical energy (chemosynthesis). Heterotrophs cannot synthesize their own food and rely on other organisms — both plants and animals — for nutrition. Technically, the definition is that autotrophs obtain carbon from inorganic sources like carbon dioxide (CO2) while heterotrophs get their reduced carbon from other organisms. Autotrophs are usually plants; they are also called "self feeders" or "primary producers".
Comparison chart
Autotroph versus Heterotroph comparison chart
Autotroph Heterotroph
Produce own food Yes No
Food chain level Primary Secondary and tertiary
Types Photoautotroph, Chemoautotroph Photoheterotroph, Chemoheterotroph
Examples Plants, algae, and some bacteria Herbivores, omnivores, and carnivores
Definition An organism that is able to form nutritional organic substances from simple inorganic substances such as carbon dioxide. Heterotrophs cannot produce organic compounds from inorganic sources and therefore rely on consuming other organisms in the food chain.
What or How they eat ? Produce their own food for energy. They eat other organisms to get proteins and energy.
Monotropastrum humile, a myco-heterotroph dependent on fungi throughout its lifetime
magnify
Monotropastrum humile, a myco-heterotroph dependent on fungi throughout its lifetime
Energy Production
Autotrophs produce their own energy by one of the following two methods:
Photosynthesis - Photoautotrophs use energy from sun to convert water from the soil and carbon dioxide from the air into glucose. Glucose provides energy to plants and is used to make cellulose which is used to build cell walls. E.g. Plants, algae, phytoplankton and some bacteria. Carnivorous plants like pitcher plant use photosynthesis for energy production but depend on other organisms for other nutrients like nitrogen, potassium and phosphorous. Hence, these plants are basically autotrophs.
Chemosynthesis - Chemoautotrophs use energy from chemical reactions to make food. The chemical reactions are usually between hydrogen sulfide/methane with oxygen. Carbon dioxide is the main source of carbon for Chemoautotrophs. E.g. Bacteria found inside active volcano, hydrothermal vents in sea floor, hot water springs.
Mediavine
Heterotrophs survive by feeding on organic matter produced by or available in other organisms. There are two types of heterotrophs:
Photoheterotroph – These heterotrophs use light for energy but cannot use carbon dioxide as their carbon source. They get their carbon from compounds such as carbohydrates, fatty acids and alcohol. E.g. purple non-sulfur bacteria, green-non sulfur bacteria and heliobacteria.
Chemoheterotroph – Heterotrophs that get their energy by oxidation of preformed organic compounds, i.e. by eating other organisms either dead or alive. E.g. animals, fungi, bacteria and almost all pathogens.
Type of organism Energy source Carbon source
Photoautotroph Light Carbon dioxide
Chemoautotroph Chemicals Carbon dioxide
Photoheterotroph Light Carbon from other organisms
Chemoheterotroph Other organisms Other organisms
A flowchart explaining the various types of trophs
magnify
A flowchart explaining the various types of trophs
Mediavine
Food Chain
Autotrophs do not depend on other organism for their food. They are the primary producer and are placed first in the food chain. Heterotrophs that depend on autotrophs and other heterotrophs for their energy level are placed next on the food chain.
Herbivores that feed on autotrophs are placed in the second trophic level. Carnivores that eat meat and omnivores that eat all types of organisms are placed next in the trophic level.
Food cycle between autotrophs and heterotrophs
magnify
Food cycle between autotrophs and heterotrophs
References
Wikipedia: Autotroph
Wikipedia: Chemoheterotroph
Wikipedia: Heterotroph
Mediavine
Related Comparisons
Photosynthesis vs Cellular RespirationPhotosynthesis vs Cellular Respiration
Aerobic vs Anaerobic RespirationAerobic vs Anaerobic Respiration
Mold vs YeastMold vs Yeast
Mildew vs MoldMildew vs Mold
Eukaryotic Cell vs Prokaryotic CellEukaryotic Cell vs Prokaryotic Cell
Mitosis vs MeiosisMitosis vs Meiosis
Follow
Share
Cite
Authors
If you read this far, you should follow us:
Comments: Autotroph vs Heterotroph
Related Comparisons
Photosynthesis vs Cellular Respiration
Aerobic vs Anaerobic Respiration
Mold vs Yeast
Mildew vs Mold
Eukaryotic Cell vs Prokaryotic Cell
Mitosis vs Meiosis
DNA vs RNA
Contribute to Diffen
Edit or create new comparisons in your area of expertise.
Log in »
Mediavine
DNA vs RNADNA vs RNA
Mitosis vs MeiosisMitosis vs Meiosis
Eukaryotic Cell vs Prokaryotic CellEukaryotic Cell vs Prokaryotic Cell
Mildew vs MoldMildew vs Mold
Mold vs YeastMold vs Yeast
Aerobic vs Anaerobic RespirationAerobic vs Anaerobic Respiration
Mediavine
Explanation:
Answer:
Heterotrophs are able to move from one place to another in search of food, autotrophs are not able to move. Heterotrophs obtain their energy directly or indirectly from other organisms, while autotrophs obtain energy from inorganic sources, where they convert light energy (sunlight) into chemical energy.
u can also REFER TO ATTACHMENT..for more information...
(actually that was my class 10 notes...;-))
