What is the Difference between autotroph and heterotroph?
An autotroph (from the Greek autos = self and trophe = nutrition) is an organism that produces complex organic compounds from simple inorganic molecules and an external source of energy, such as light or chemical reactions of inorganic compounds. Autotrophs are producers in a food chain. Plants and other organisms that carry out photosynthesis are phototrophs (or photoautotrophs). Bacteria that utilize the oxidation of inorganic compounds such as hydrogen sulfide, ammonium or ferrous iron as an energy source are chemoautotrophs (some are known as lithotrophs). A heterotroph (Greek heterone = (an)other and trophe = nutrition) is an organism that requires organic substrates to get its carbon for growth and development. A heterotroph is known as a consumer in the food chain. Contrast with autotrophs which use inorganic carbon dioxide or bicarbonate as sole carbon source. All animals are heterotrophic, as well as fungi and many bacteria. Some parasitic plants have also turned fully or part
Autotrophs are capable of making their own food through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis. Photosynthetic organisms make carbohydrates from carbon dioxide, water, and light. Chemosynthetic organisms get their nutrition from the breakdown of chemicals. Heterotrophs have to eat something else. They cannot manufacture their own food. There are different types of heterotroph nutrition. For example, Holophytic engulfs things whole (amoebas), parasitic feeds off of living tissue (both plants and animals can be parasites), and saprophytic (eats dead things – human are a perfect example of this one) to name just a few.
