The body design and functioning of organisms determine their ability to take in and break down specific food materials.

Fungi like bread moulds, yeast, and mushrooms break down food material outside their bodies and then absorb it.

The form of nutrition varies depending on the type and availability of food material and how it is obtained, influenced by the organism’s environment.

Nitrogen is essential for protein and compound synthesis in autotrophs, and it is acquired from the soil either as inorganic nitrates/nitrites or as organic compounds prepared by bacteria from atmospheric nitrogen.

Autotrophs need materials like nitrogen, phosphorus, iron, and magnesium, which are taken up from the soil.