Chapter 5 · Question 7
What are the differences between autotrophic nutrition and heterotrophic nutrition?
Q7
What are the differences between autotrophic nutrition and heterotrophic nutrition?
Answer Revealed
Direct Answer:
Autotrophic nutrition is when organisms make their own food using inorganic sources (e.g., plants using sunlight), while heterotrophic nutrition is when organisms depend on other organisms for food.
Simple Explanation
Plants make their own food using sunlight — that is autotrophic nutrition. Animals, including humans, cannot make their own food and must eat plants or other animals — that is heterotrophic nutrition.
Exam-Ready Structure
Differences between autotrophic and heterotrophic nutrition: 1. Food source — Autotrophs use simple inorganic substances (CO2 and H2O) to synthesise food. Heterotrophs depend on autotrophs or other organisms for food. 2. Energy source — Autotrophs use sunlight (photoautotrophs) or chemical energy (chemoautotrophs). Heterotrophs obtain energy from the organic food they consume. 3. Chlorophyll — Autotrophs possess chlorophyll for photosynthesis. Heterotrophs lack chlorophyll. 4. Examples — Autotrophs include green plants, cyanobacteria. Heterotrophs include all animals, fungi, and most bacteria. 5. Ecological role — Autotrophs are producers in the food chain. Heterotrophs are consumers.
Key Points
- Autotrophs make their own food from inorganic sources
- Heterotrophs depend on other organisms for food
- Autotrophs have chlorophyll; heterotrophs do not
- Autotrophs are producers; heterotrophs are consumers
Common Mistakes
- Saying only plants are autotrophs (cyanobacteria are also autotrophs)
- Not mentioning the energy source difference
Answer Sources
- Autotrophic and heterotrophic nutritiontextbook section | Science | Life Processes | Nutrition in plants and animals | Pages 2-5