Holozoic Nutrition Class 10

What is Holozoic Nutrition?

The Holozoic Nutrition can be defined as the type of Heterotrophic Nutrition in which an organism takes the complex organic food materials into its body by the process of ingestion, the ingested food is digested and then absorbed into the body cells of the organism.

  • The undigested and unabsorbed part of the food is thrown out of the body of the organism by the process of Egestion. 
  • Human beings and most of the animals have a holozoic mode of nutrition. human beings, cat, dog, cattle, deer, tiger, lion, bear, giraffe, frog, fish and Amoeba, etc., have the holozoic mode of nutrition.

Also Check – Nutrition in Amoeba

5 Important Steps of Holozoic Nutrition

Steps of Holozoic Nutrition
  1. Ingestion→ It is a process of intake of food materials. In case of holozoic nutrition, food is ingested through the mouth.
  2. Digestion→ It is a process of conversion of large organic molecules obtained from diet into simpler absorbable forms.
  3. Absorption→ It is the process of absorption of digested absorbable form of food through various methods for further use.
  4. Assimilation→ It is a process of utilization of absorbed food to meet energy requirements of the body to perform all metabolic functions.
  5. Egestion→ It is the removal of excretory waste materials (faeces, urine) outside of body. 

Also Check – Nutrition In Paramecium

9 Types of Holozoic Nutrition 

1. Herbivorous Nutrition

It is a type of nutrition in which only plant parts are consumed. Such organisms are called herbivores e.g. Cow, Deer, Horse, Rabbit etc.

2. Carnivorous Nutrition

It is a type of nutrition in which animals eat flesh e.g. Cat, Lion, dog etc. Such animals are called carnivores.

Also Check – Nutrition in Human Being

3. Omnivorous Nutrition

It is a type of nutrition in which organisms take both animals and plants is called omnivorous e.g. Cockroach, Man, Crow etc.

4. Insectivorous Nutrition

It is a type of nutrition in which animals feed on insects e.g. Lizards, Toads, Frogs etc.

5. Frugivorous Nutrition

It is a type of nutrition in which organisms eats fruits e.g. Monkeys, Bats, Birds etc.

6. Sanguivorous Nutrition

Sanguivorous Nutrition is a type of nutrition in which organisms suck blood of other animals e.g. Leech, Vampire bats, Female Anopheles Mosquitoes etc.

7. Detritivorous Nutrition

Detritivorous Nutrition is a type of nutrition in which animals eat dead and decaying organic matter e.g. Earthworm.

8. Fluid feeders Nutrition

It is a type of nutrition in which organisms feed upon liquid food e.g. Butterflies, House flies etc.

9. Microphagy Nutrition

It is a type of nutrition in which organisms feed upon microscopic  organisms e.g. Amoeba, Paramecium etc.

Frequently asked questions on Holozoic Nutrition

What is Holozoic Nutrition and how does it differ from Autotrophic Nutrition?

Holozoic nutrition is a type of heterotrophic nutrition where an organism takes in complex organic food materials by ingestion, then digests and absorbs them into body cells and finally egests the undigested and unabsorbed parts. Autotrophic nutrition, on the other hand, involves organisms making their own food through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis.

What are the five important steps of Holozoic Nutrition and what is their significance in the process?

The five important steps of holozoic nutrition are Ingestion, Digestion, Absorption, Assimilation and Egestion. Ingestion involves the intake of food materials, digestion involves breaking down the food into simpler forms, absorption involves absorbing the digested food into the body, assimilation involves utilizing the absorbed food to meet energy requirements and egestion involves eliminating the undigested waste materials.

Which organisms have a holozoic mode of nutrition and what are some examples of these organisms?

Most animals have a holozoic mode of nutrition. Examples include human beings, cats, dogs, cattle, deer, tigers, lions, bears, giraffes, frogs, fish and amoeba.

What is the process of Ingestion in Holozoic Nutrition and how does it differ from other forms of nutrition?

Ingestion is the process of intake of food materials and in holozoic nutrition, food is ingested through the mouth. This differs from other forms of nutrition, such as osmotrophic nutrition, where food is absorbed through the body surface.

What is the process of Egestion in Holozoic Nutrition and why is it important for the organism?

Egestion is the removal of excretory waste materials outside the body and it is important for eliminating undigested and unabsorbed food materials that may be harmful to the organism if they were to accumulate.

What is the difference between Herbivorous and Carnivorous Nutrition and what are some examples of organisms that follow each type?

Herbivorous nutrition involves organisms that consume only plant parts, such as cows, deer, horses, rabbits and others. Carnivorous nutrition involves animals that eat flesh, such as cats, lions, dogs and others.

What is Omnivorous Nutrition and what are some examples of organisms that follow this type of nutrition?

Omnivorous nutrition involves organisms that consume both animals and plants, such as cockroaches, humans, crows and others.

What is Detritivorous Nutrition and what are some examples of organisms that follow this type of nutrition?

Detritivorous nutrition involves animals that eat dead and decaying organic matter, such as earthworms.

What is Fluid feeders Nutrition and what are some examples of organisms that follow this type of nutrition?

Fluid feeders nutrition involves organisms that feed upon liquid food, such as butterflies, houseflies and others.

What is Microphagy Nutrition and what are some examples of organisms that follow this type of nutrition?

Microphagy nutrition involves organisms that feed upon microscopic organisms, such as amoeba, paramecium and others.