Autotrophy and Heterotrophy

Autotrophy: Plants manufacture their food using simple organic substances in the presence of sunlight through the process of photosynthesisPhotosynthesis is the process by which green plants, and some algae and bacteria, convert the energy of sunlight into chemical energy. This energy is then used to synthesize carbohydrates such as... More. This is called autotrophy. AutotrophicAn autotroph is an organism that can produce its own food using light, water, carbon dioxide, or other chemicals. It feeds itself, without the assistance of any other organisms. The word... More organisms are known as Autotrophs.

HeterotrophyA heterotroph is an organism that consumes other organisms in a food chain. The term stems from the Greek words hetero for “other” and trophe for “nourishment.” More: Animals cannot manufacture their food but depend directly on plants for their food. This is referred to as heterotrophy.

Autotrophy and Heterotrophy: