Question

What are the differences between autotrophic
and heterotrophic nutrition? ​

Answer 1

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Autotrophs are organisms that undergo autotrophic mode of nutrition. These are the organisms that can prepare their own food from simple substances like carbon dioxide and water. All green plants are examples of autotrophs. These green plants contain chlorophyll pigment in the plant cell that helps in the synthesis of their own food by absorbing energy from the sunlight. All autotrophs are producers and are placed at the primary level in the food web.

Carbohydrates can be converted to fatty acids to produce lipids. Other elements may be added to synthesize organic compounds such as proteins. Carbohydrates, proteins and lipids can be used as energy sources during respiration by both autotrophs and heterotrophs, recycling carbon dioxide so that it may again be used in photosynthesis.

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Heterotrophs are organisms which cannot prepare their own food and depend upon producers or green plants and other animals for their food. This mode of nutrition is known as the heterotrophic mode of nutrition.

Heterotrophs rely on autotrophs to provide a continuous supply of new organic molecules. Heterotrophs are considered as consumers in the food web and are placed at a secondary or tertiary level.

Answer 2

$\sf\purple{\underline{\underline{Autotrophic \: nutrition \: :}}}$

• Autotrophic nutrition is a process where the organism prepare it own food by using simple inorganic substances like water, salts, minerals and carbon dioxide (CO2) in the presence of sunlight.
• The Autotrophic organism have a green coloured pigment called chlorophyll.
• $\red{\sf Example \: :}$ Cyanobacteria and blue - green algae.

$\sf\purple{\underline{\underline{Heterotrophic \: nutrition \: :}}}$

• Heterotrophic nutrition is a process where the organisms are unable to prepare their own food hence they depends on other plants and animals for their food called Heterotrophic nutrition.
• There are 3 types of Heterotrophic nutrition : Holozoic, saprophytic and parasitic nutrition.
• $\red{\sf Example \: :}$ Humans and fungi.