Heterotrophic cells must ingest biomass to obtain their energy and nutrition. In direct contrast, autotrophs are capable of assimilating diffuse, inorganic energy and materials, and using these to synthesize biochemicals. Green plants, for example, use...

Heterotrophs (from Greek heteros = other or different, trophos = feeder) are organisms that are not able to make their own food. They must ingest or absorb food produced by other organisms. Therefore, the heterotrophs rely on other organisms for their...

Organisms that feed either directly or indirectly on producers, plants that convert solar energy into complex organic molecules. Primary consumers are animals that eat plants directly. They are also called herbivores. Secondary consumers are animals...

A heterotroph is an organism that derives its nutritional carbon and energy by oxidizing (i.e., decomposing) organic materials. The higher animals, fungi, actinomycetes, and most bacteria are heterotrophs. These are the biological consumers that...

A heterotroph (Greek heterone = (an)other and trophe = nutrition) is an organism that requires organic substrates to get its carbon for growth and development. A heterotroph is known as a consumer in the food chain. Contrast with autotrophs which use...