Overview of cycle between autotrophs and heterotrophs.

A Heterotroph (Greek ἕτερος heteros = another and τροφή trophe = nutrition) is an organism that uses organic carbon for growth.^[1] This contrasts with autotrophs, such as plants, which are able to directly use sources of energy, such as light to produce organic substrates from inorganic carbon dioxide.

[edit] Ecology

Heterotrophs are known as consumers in food chains and obtain organic carbon by eating other heterotrophs or autotrophs. They break down complex organic compounds that are produced by autotrophs.

All animals are heterotrophic, as well as fungi and many bacteria. Some animals, such as corals, form symbiotic relationships with autotrophs and obtain organic carbon in this way. Furthermore, some parasitic plants have also turned fully or partially heterotrophic, while so-called carnivorous plants consume animals to augment their nitrogen supply but are still autotrophic.

Flowchart to determine if a species is autotroph, heterotroph, or a subtype

Two types of heterotroph are distinguished

• photoheterotroph — obtains energy from light, but needs carbon in an organic form for growth
• chemoheterotroph — needs an organic source of carbon for both energy source and growth

[edit] Organotrophs and lithotrophs

These terms refer to the chemical reactions that are involved in biosynthetic processes or respiration. Phototrophs and chemotrophs can be either lithotrophic or organotrophic.

[edit] See also

• Primary nutritional groups
• Auxotrophy
• Saprotrophic nutrition

[edit] References

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