Question

Why do heterotrophic organisms depend upon autotrophs?

Answer 1

1. Autotrophs or autotrophic organisms are living beings that are capable of synthesizing their food by utilizing inorganic molecules. These organisms do not depend on other organisms to fulfilling their food needs.
2. Green plants are a type of autotrophs as they can synthesize their food by using water and carbon dioxide in the presence of solar energy.
3. Heterotrophs or heterotrophic organisms are living beings that depend on other creatures for their survival.
4. The reason for their dependency is that they cannot utilize inorganic molecules to synthesize their food. Thus, they feed on autotrophs when they feel the need to get the energy.
5. Heterotrophs that do not directly feed on autotrophs are dependent on other plant-eating organisms.
6. For example, tigers do not eat plants but feed on deer, plant-eating animals.
7. Thus, all heterotrophs directly or indirectly depend on autotrophs for their survival.