Question

What is heterotrophic mode of nutritent ? Explain it

Answer 1

Answer:

Heterotrophic nutrition is the mode of nutrition where the organism is unable to prepare its food and hence, depends upon plants or other organisms for nutrition.

Explanation:

All animals and non-photosynthetic plants are classified as heterotrophs since they are unable to prepare food. So these organisms resort to other various forms of nutrition. Hence, from an ecological perspective, heterotrophs are always secondary or tertiary consumers in a food chain.

Humans and other vertebrates rely on converting organic, solid or liquid food into energy. Other organisms such as fungi rely on converting dead organic matter into nutrients. In essence, heterotrophs break down complex food into its readily usable constituents.