Key Points on Autotrophs and Heterotrophs
Autotrophs and heterotrophs are two different modes of nutrition. Some key points on them are as follows:
- Autotrophs produces their own food and are placed first in the food chain as primary producers. For example Plants and Algae.
- Heterotrophs depend on others for their food and are placed at secondary and tertiary level in the food chain.
- Heterotrophs includes herbivores that consumes plants, carnivores that consumes other organisms, omnivores consumes both plants and animals and decomposers feed on dead and decaying matter.
- Both plays an important role in regulating the flow of nutrition and energy in the ecosystem.
Difference Between Autotrophs and Heterotrophs
Autotrophs and heterotrophs represent the different modes of nutrition that have distinct ways of obtaining and utilizing energy and nutrients in the ecosystem. Autotrophs produce their own energy and serve as the primary producers while heterotrophs rely on consuming other organisms or organic matter for energy and serve as consumers in the food chain. These two nutritional mode represents the flow of energy and nutrition in the ecosystem.
Table of Content
- Definition of Autotrophs and Heterotrophs
- Differences Between Autotrophs and Heterotrophs
- What are Autotrophs?
- What are Heterotrophs?
- Key Points on Autotrophs and Heterotrophs