Autotrophic and Heterotrophic nutrition are two different types of nutrition in living organisms. Autotrophic nutrition refers to the process by which an organism makes its own food from raw materials such as carbon dioxide and water, while Heterotrophic nutrition involves obtaining food from other organisms. Let us take a closer look at the differences between these two types of nutrition.
Table of Contents
Difference between Autotrophic Nutrition and Heterotrophic Nutrition – Tabular Format
| Features | Autotrophic nutrition | Heterotrophic nutrition |
|---|---|---|
| Autotrophic nutrition | Heterotrophic nutrition | |
| 1. Definition | Autotrophic nutrition is that mode of nutrition in which an organism makes its own food. | Heterotrophic nutrition is that mode of nutrition in which an organism cannot make its own food. |
| 2. Organisms | The organisms which get the nutrition by Autotrophic nutrition are called Autotrophs. | The organisms which get their nutrition by Heterotrophic mode of nutrition are called Heterotrophs. |
| 3. Digestion | This process is absent in Autotrophic nutrition. | The process of digestion is required for the conversion of complex molecules into simpler and more soluble ones. |
| 4. Carbon source required | Use inorganic carbon as their source of carbon. | Use organic carbon as their source of carbon. |
| 5. Raw materials required | Raw materials such as inorganic materials like carbon dioxide and water are required to make their own food. | Raw materials are not required in Heterotrophic mode of nutrition. It depends on other organisms for its food. |
| 6. Chlorophyll | Chlorophyll is present in Autotrophs for trapping light. | Chlorophyll is absent in Heterotrophs. |
| 7. Status | They are known as producers. | They are known as consumers. |
| 8. Position in food chain | Position of Autotrophs in food chain is primary producers.. | Position of Heterotrophs in food chain is secondary or tertiary level . |
| 9. External energy source | In Autotrophic mode of nutrition external source of energy like sunlight is required. | In Heterotrophic mode of nutrition external energy source is not required. |
| 10. Examples | Examples mainly include plants, algae, and cyanobacteria. | Examples mainly include animals, some plants, fungi, and bacteria. |
Difference between Autotrophic Nutrition and Heterotrophic Nutrition – Explanation in Detail
Difference between Autotrophic Nutrition and Heterotrophic Nutrition in terms of – Definition
Autotrophic nutrition is a mode of nutrition in which an organism is able to produce its own food from raw materials such as carbon dioxide and water. Autotrophic organisms are often called “self-sufficient” because they are able to synthesise their own organic compounds, such as glucose, from simple inorganic compounds using an external energy source. For example, plants, algae and some bacteria use photosynthesis to produce their own food by capturing light energy from the sun or other external energy sources.
Heterotrophic nutrition, on the other hand, is a mode of nutrition in which an organism obtains its food from other organisms. Organisms that rely on Heterotrophic diets are often referred to as “extraneous feeders” They rely on other organisms to meet their food and energy needs by consuming other organisms or their products. For example, animals, fungi and many bacteria rely on organic compounds from plants or other organisms to obtain their food.
Also Check – 13 Important Differences between Photosynthesis and Respiration
Difference between Autotrophic Nutrition and Heterotrophic Nutrition in terms of – Organisms
Autotrophic organisms are organisms that are able to synthesise their own food from inorganic raw materials such as carbon dioxide and water. This is done through the process of photosynthesis, which uses energy from an external source such as sunlight to convert these inorganic raw materials into organic compounds such as glucose. Examples of Autotrophic organisms are plants, algae and some bacteria.
Heterotrophs, on the other hand, are organisms that cannot synthesise their own food and must obtain it from other organisms. This is done through the process of Heterotrophic nutrition, in which organic compounds are taken up from the environment and broken down through the process of digestion into simpler molecules that can be used by the organism to produce energy. Examples of Heterotrophs are animals, fungi and some bacteria.
Also Check -2 Important Types of Autotrophic Nutrition
Difference between Autotrophic Nutrition and Heterotrophic Nutrition in terms of – Digestion
Digestion is the process by which complex molecules such as proteins, carbohydrates and lipids are broken down into simpler and more soluble molecules that can be absorbed and used by the organism. In Heterotrophic nutrition, digestion is necessary because the organism receives its food from other organisms in the form of complex molecules that must be broken down into simpler forms.
In Autotrophic nutrition, on the other hand, digestion is not necessary because the organism produces its own food through the process of photosynthesis. During photosynthesis, inorganic molecules such as carbon dioxide and water are converted into organic molecules such as glucose, which can be used as a source of energy. These organic molecules are already in a simple and soluble form, so the process of digestion is not necessary to break them down into simpler forms.
Difference between Autotrophic Nutrition and Heterotrophic Nutrition in terms of – Carbon Source
Carbon is an essential element needed for the synthesis of organic compounds, which are the building blocks of living organisms. Autotrophic and Heterotrophic organisms differ in the source of carbon they use to synthesise these organic compounds.
Autotrophic organisms use inorganic carbon, such as carbon dioxide, as their primary carbon source. They are able to take up carbon dioxide from the environment and convert it into organic compounds such as glucose using energy from an external source, e.g. sunlight, through the process of photosynthesis.
In contrast, Heterotrophs obtain their carbon from organic sources such as sugars and carbohydrates, which they obtain by consuming other organisms or by breaking down organic matter in their environment. The organic compounds they consume are broken down through the process of digestion, and the resulting simpler molecules are used to synthesise new organic compounds.
Difference between Autotrophic Nutrition and Heterotrophic Nutrition in terms of – Raw Materials
Raw materials are the basic building blocks needed for the synthesis of organic compounds. Autotrophs and Heterotrophs differ in the raw materials they need to obtain their food.
Autotrophs require inorganic raw materials such as carbon dioxide and water to synthesise their own food through the process of photosynthesis. In photosynthesis, Autotrophic organisms capture energy from an external source, such as sunlight, and use it to convert carbon dioxide and water into organic compounds such as glucose. These organic compounds serve as food for the Autotrophs.
In contrast, Heterotrophs do not need specific raw materials to obtain their food. They obtain their food by consuming other organisms or by breaking down organic substances in their environment. The organic compounds they consume serve as raw materials for their own synthesis of new organic compounds.
Also Check – 8 Important Difference between Plant Tissues and Animal Tissues
Difference between Autotrophic Nutrition and Heterotrophic Nutrition in terms of – Chlorophyll
Chlorophyll is a green pigment that plays a crucial role in photosynthesis, the process by which Autotrophic organisms produce their own food. Autotrophs contain chlorophyll in their cells, which enables them to capture light energy from the sun and use it to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen. This process is called photosynthesis.
Heterotrophs, on the other hand, do not have chlorophyll and are therefore unable to photosynthesise. Instead, they obtain their food by eating other organisms. Some Heterotrophs are predators and feed on other animals, while others are parasites and obtain their nutrients from their host organism. Some Heterotrophs, such as fungi and bacteria, decompose dead organic material and use the nutrients released from it as a food source.
Therefore, the presence or absence of chlorophyll is an important distinguishing feature between Autotrophs and Heterotrophs because it determines the type of food they eat and their ability to produce their own food.
Also Check – 16 Differences Between Plant Cell and Animal Cell
Difference between Autotrophic Nutrition and Heterotrophic Nutrition in terms of – Status
As for their status in the food chain, Autotrophs are called producers, while Heterotrophs are called consumers. Autotrophs are the organisms that produce their own food through photosynthesis, chemosynthesis or other processes that convert inorganic raw materials into organic compounds. Therefore, they are the main producers of food in an ecosystem and provide the energy and nutrients that other organisms need to survive.
Heterotrophs, on the other hand, are organisms that obtain their food either directly or indirectly by consuming other organisms. They depend on producers for energy and nutrients and are at higher trophic levels in the food chain. Heterotrophic organisms can be classified as herbivores, carnivores, omnivores or detritivores based on their feeding habits.
Difference between Autotrophic Nutrition and Heterotrophic Nutrition in terms of – Position in food chain
Autotrophs are at the base of the food chain as producers, which means they occupy the first trophic level. They are the primary source of energy for all other organisms in the ecosystem. They convert solar energy into chemical energy through the process of photosynthesis, which is then passed on to the Heterotrophs.
Heterotrophic organisms, on the other hand, are consumers and depend on Autotrophic organisms to meet their energy needs. They are at higher trophic levels, i.e. at the secondary or tertiary level of the food chain. They consume other organisms to feed themselves and meet their energy needs, and their position in the food chain depends on the type of food they consume. Carnivores, for example, are at a higher trophic level than herbivores because they consume other animals as their main food source.
Difference between Autotrophic Nutrition and Heterotrophic Nutrition in terms of – External energy source
In Autotrophic nutrition, organisms use external energy sources such as sunlight to drive the process of photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is the process by which Autotrophic organisms produce their own food from carbon dioxide and water. The energy from sunlight is absorbed by chlorophyll, a pigment in the cells of Autotrophic organisms, and used to convert carbon dioxide and water into organic molecules such as glucose.
Heterotrophic organisms do not need an external energy source to obtain their food. They obtain their energy from the organic molecules present in the food they consume. Heterotrophic organisms can break down complex organic molecules such as carbohydrates and proteins into smaller, simpler molecules that can be used for energy. This process, known as cellular respiration, takes place in the cells of Heterotrophs and is a fundamental process for obtaining energy from food.
Difference between Autotrophic Nutrition and Heterotrophic Nutrition in terms of – Examples
Autotrophic organisms are found mainly in the plant kingdom, including green plants, algae and some bacteria such as cyanobacteria. These organisms use sunlight as an external source of energy to synthesise their own food through the process of photosynthesis.
Heterotrophic organisms, on the other hand, are found in all kingdoms of life, including animals, some plants, fungi and bacteria. They obtain their food from other organisms by consuming them or their products. Examples of Heterotrophs are humans, animals such as dogs, cats and birds, fungi like mushrooms,and bacteria such as Escherichia coli.
Overall, the examples of Autotrophs and Heterotrophs show the great diversity of organisms and the different modes of nutrition that they have adapted to in order to survive and thrive in their respective environments.
Key Questions on Autotrophic vs. Heterotrophic Nutrition
What is Autotrophic nutrition?
Answer –Autotrophic nutrition is a mode of nutrition in which an organism is able to produce its own food from raw materials such as carbon dioxide and water, using an external source of energy such as sunlight.
What is Heterotrophic nutrition?
Answer –Heterotrophic nutrition is a mode of nutrition in which an organism obtains its food from other organisms.
What are some examples of Autotrophic organisms?
Answer –Plants, algae and some bacteria are examples of Autotrophic organisms.
What are some examples of Heterotrophic organisms?
Answer –Animals, fungi and some bacteria are examples of Heterotrophic organisms.
What is digestion?
Answer –Digestion is the process by which complex molecules such as proteins, carbohydrates and lipids are broken down into simpler and more soluble molecules that can be absorbed and used by the organism.
Is digestion necessary for Autotrophic organisms?
Answer –No, digestion is not necessary for Autotrophic organisms because they produce their own food through photosynthesis and the resulting organic compounds are already in simple and soluble form.
How do Autotrophic and Heterotrophic organisms differ in their carbon source?
Answer –Autotrophic organisms use inorganic carbon, such as carbon dioxide, as their primary carbon source, while Heterotrophic organisms obtain their carbon from organic sources such as sugars and carbohydrates, which they obtain by consuming other organisms or by decomposing organic matter in their environment.
What are the raw materials required for Autotrophic nutrition and how are they obtained?
Answer – Autotrophs require inorganic raw materials such as carbon dioxide and water to synthesise their own food through the process of photosynthesis. They obtain these raw materials from the environment, taking carbon dioxide from the air and water from the soil or other sources.
How do Heterotrophs obtain their food and what raw materials do they use?
Answer – Heterotrophic organisms obtain their food by consuming other organisms or by breaking down organic substances in their environment. The organic compounds they consume serve them as raw materials for their own synthesis of new organic compounds.
What role does chlorophyll play in Autotrophic nutrition?
Answer – Chlorophyll is a green pigment that plays a crucial role in photosynthesis, the process by which Autotrophic organisms produce their own food. Autotrophs contain chlorophyll in their cells, which enables them to capture light energy from the sun and use it to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen.
How do Autotrophs and Heterotrophs differ in terms of their position in the food chain?
Answer – Autotrophs are producers at the base of the food chain, while Heterotrophs are consumers and occupy higher trophic levels. Autotrophs provide the energy and nutrients that other organisms need to survive, while Heterotrophs are dependent on producers.
What are some examples of Autotrophs and Heterotrophs?
Answer – Autotrophs are mainly found in the plant kingdom, including green plants, algae and some bacteria such as cyanobacteria. Heterotrophs, on the other hand, are found in all kingdoms of life, including animals, some plants, fungi and bacteria. Examples of Heterotrophs are humans, animals such as dogs, cats and birds, fungi such as mushrooms and bacteria such as Escherichia coli.
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