Question

Define absorptive and holozoic nutrition.

Answer 1

• Absorptive Nutrition- It is a way of taking nutrients by organisms that release hydrolytic enzymes in the environment to break down complex compounds into simpler ones. These simpler compounds then enter inside the body of the organism through their external membrane covering and used for carrying out various life processes. It is generally performed by fungi.
• Holozoic Nutrition- It is the way of taking food by the organism inside its body through its mouth. This food further goes processes of digestion (breakdown of food into simpler compounds by enzymes), absorption ( taking of the food by small intestine in the bloodstream), assimilation ( absorbed food in the cells is used for producing energy and carrying out various metabolic processes) and egestion ( removal of undigested food out of the body). This process takes place in humans.
• In the case of amoeba, it is simply taking the food by its mouth and degrading it in simpler compounds by the enzymes in its cytoplasm and expelling out the waste from the body.