Autotrophs are organisms that can produce their own food using simple inorganic sources such as carbon dioxide and water, while heterotrophs rely on consuming complex substances from other organisms for energy and materials.
What distinguishes autotrophs from heterotrophs in terms of their energy and material requirements?
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Autotrophs and heterotrophs differ in their energy and material requirements. Autotrophs, like plants and algae, produce their own food through photosynthesis, converting sunlight into organic compounds. They fulfill their energy needs and build materials internally. In contrast, heterotrophs, including animals and most fungi, rely on external sources for nutrition. They consume organic compounds produced by autotrophs or other heterotrophs to obtain energy and materials. Autotrophs are self-sufficient producers, while heterotrophs are consumers, highlighting the distinct strategies these organisms employ to meet their energy and material requirements within ecosystems.