What are the differences between autotrophic nutrition and heterotrophic nutrition?
Autotrophic and heterotrophic nutrition are the two modes of nutrition.
The difference between Autotrophic nutrition and heterotrophic nutrition is tabulated below
Autotrophic Nutrition | Heterotrophic Nutrition |
The organisms are capable of preparing their own food using simple substances that are available in their surroundings. The conditions necessary for autotrophic nutrition are carbon dioxide, water, chlorophyll and water. | The organisms completely depend on others for their nutrition. They depend on surrounding plants and animals for food. They cannot make the food from available inorganic substances like carbon dioxide, water and sunlight. |
Phototrophic and Chemotrophic are the two types of autotrophic nutrition | Holozoic, parasitic, symbiotic association, and saprophytic are the four types of heterotrophic nutrition |
Plants are an example of autotrophic nutrition | Animals and some plants are an example of heterotrophic nutrition |
Autotrophs are the producers in the food chain | Heterotrophs are the consumers in the food chain |