Explain autotrophic nutrition with suitable example
Answers
Autotrophs Defined
Every living thing needs energy in order to survive. We get this energy from the foods that we eat. The things that we eat were once living things and are full of energy themselves. Living things that need to eat other living things to survive are called heterotrophs, or 'other feeders.' Because heterotrophs cannot make their own food, they are called consumers.
But imagine that you could eat without actually eating. This is exactly what autotrophs do. Autotrophs are self-feeders, and they get their energy from non-living sources such as the sun and carbon dioxide. Autotrophs are called producers because they provide energy and food sources for all heterotrophic organisms.
Types of Autotrophs
There are two types of autotrophs: photoautotrophs and chemoautotrophs. Photoautotrophs get their energy from sunlight and convert it into usable energy (sugar). This process is called photosynthesis. During the process of photosynthesis, not only is sunlight turned into energy, but carbon dioxide is taken from the air and oxygen is released in its place. Because animals depend on this oxygen to breathe, we should be very thankful for this exchange!