Question

Name the different modes of nutrition.

Answer 1

Nutrition:

1. The process involving the consumption of food and its utilization for the various metabolic process is known as nutrition.
2. Nutrients:
   • Organic or inorganic substances that are consumed by living organisms to sustain life are known as nutrients.
   • Carbohydrates and fats are the basic nutrients consumed to get energy.
   • Proteins and minerals are nutrients used for the synthesis of body substances such as skin, blood, etc.
3. Mode of nutrition is primarily of two types: autotrophic and heterotrophic.
4. Autotrophic:
   • The mode of nutrition in which organisms uses light energy to produce their food by photosynthesis is called the autotrophic mode of nutrition.
   • The organisms that can synthesize their food are known as autotrophs.
   • Examples: plants.
5. Heterotrophic:
   • The mode of nutrition in which organisms eat the products of plants or other animals to derive nutrition and energy to sustain life, is called the heterotrophic mode of reaction.
   • The organisms having this mode of nutrition are known as heterotrophs. Examples: dogs, cats, humans, etc.
   • Heterotrophic are of three types: saprophytic, parasitic, and holozoic.
   • Saprophytic: The organisms that feed on dead and decaying remains of plants and animals are saprophytes. This mode of nutrition is known as saprophytic. Examples: fungi
   • Parasitic: When the organism derives energy by feeding on another organism, that mode of nutrition is known as parasitic. Example: leech.
   • Holozoic: Holozoic involves the intake of food by ingestion. Example: Amoeba.