Question

Are parasites heterotrophs?

Answer 1

Yes.Autotrophs (auto = self, troph = feeding) make their own food. In the plant world, photosynthesis is the process used to make food for the plant. Heterotrophs (hetero = other) don’t make their own food, instead ingesting nutrients from other organisms. Parasitic plants usually attach to a host plant, getting nutrients from the host plant, instead of making their own food through photosynthesis.

Most plants are autotrophic, which means they are able to make their own food, unlike animals. However, there are a few plants that are heterotrophic (They obtain their food from other plants), at least partially, such as the animals and other living things, including fungi, are.

Parasitic plants must be included among heterotrophic organisms. A parasitic plant is a plant that obtains the required nutrients, wholly o partially, from other plant.