Heterotrophic Nutrition

What is Heterotrophic Nutrition?

Heterotrophic nutrition is a form of nutrition in which organisms ingest complex organic molecules that require digestionDigestion is the breakdown of large insoluble food compounds into small water-soluble components so that they can be absorbed into the blood plasma. In certain organisms, these smaller substances are absorbed... More before absorptionAbsorption is the movement of digested food molecules from the digestive system into the blood (glucose and amino acids) and lymph (fatty acids and glycerol). The small intestine absorbs most of... More and assimilation1. the process of taking in and fully understanding information or ideas. 2. the absorption and digestion of food or nutrients by the body or any biological system. More.

Heterotrophs are organisms that cannot manufacture their own food but depend on plants for their food directly or indirectly. Most fungi, some bacteria, animals, and protozoa are heterotrophs.

Types of Heterotrophic Nutrition:

1. Holozoic Nutrition:

It involves the ingestionIngestion is the process of taking food into the body through the mouth into the gastrointestinal tract, such as through eating or drinking. More of organic material, digestion, absorption, and assimilation. It also includes the taking in of complex substances and converting them to simpler forms.

Examples of organisms that exhibit the holozoic mode of nutrition are:

i. Herbivores: e.g. goats, sheep, and rabbits feed on plants.

ii. Carnivores like dogs, cats, and lions feed on flesh.

iii. Omnivores like man, and pig feed on both flesh and vegetables.

iv. Scavengers e.g. Vultures, feed on dead animals.

2. Saprophytic Nutrition:  

Saprophytic organisms feed on dead and decaying organic matterOrganic matter is anything that contains carbon compounds that were formed by living organisms. It covers a wide range of things like lawn clippings, leaves, stems, branches, moss, algae, lichens any... More, digesting it extracellularlysituated or occurring outside a cell or the cells of the body. More and absorbing the products.