Question

What is heterotrophic mode of nutrition?

Answer 1

• Heterotrophic nutrition is the mode of nutrition in which organisms depend upon other organisms to survive. All animals and non green plants are heterotrophic.

• Heterotrophic nutrition refers to consuming food that comes from outside of one’s body. All living things except plants, algae and some bacteria practice exclusively heterotrophic nutrition. Most green plants and algae and a few kinds of bacteria practice autotrophic nutrition, which means that they produce food inside their own bodies, in most cases using sunlight, water and carbon dioxide.

• My understanding of , how are different heterotrophs in their means of obtaining nutrition

1. Holozoic: organic matter is fed on, digested internally and absorbed by the bodies. Done by humans and animals
2. Saprophytic: dead decaying matter is fed on digested externally and nutrients absorbed. Done by fungi and bacteria
3. Parasitic: the organism obtains nutrients by living in the body of the host/live organism. Done by viruses

Answer 2

Heterotrophic nutrition involves the intake of complex material prepared by other organisms