Question

What are some differences between autotrophs and heterotrophs?

Answer 1

An autotroph is an organism that creates its own food through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis. This is like a plant or protist. 
A heterotroph is like a human or other animal; they cannot produce their own food and must eat other organisms to live.

Answer 2

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".