Summary of "Learn Biology: Autotrophs vs. Heterotrophs"
Summary of “Learn Biology: Autotrophs vs. Heterotrophs”
Main Ideas and Concepts
All living organisms require energy to survive, but the source of that energy varies depending on the organism type.
Two Categories of Organisms Based on Energy Acquisition
Organisms are classified as either autotrophs or heterotrophs based on how they obtain energy.
Autotrophs
- Make their own food.
- Obtain energy directly from the Sun.
- Convert solar energy into glucose (a sugar) through a process called photosynthesis.
- Are the foundation of every ecosystem because they are the only organisms capable of harnessing solar energy directly.
Heterotrophs
- Cannot make their own food and must consume other organisms or organic material to obtain energy.
- Generally fall into one of four categories:
- Herbivores: Eat plants.
- Carnivores: Eat only meat.
- Omnivores: Eat both plants and animals (humans are an example).
- Saprobic organisms: Absorb nutrition from the environment, like fungi.
Call to Action
Consider which category you belong to when thinking about how you obtain energy.
Methodology / Classification Approach
- Identify whether an organism is an autotroph or heterotroph based on how it obtains energy.
- For autotrophs: Understand the role of photosynthesis in converting solar energy into glucose.
- For heterotrophs: Classify into one of four groups based on diet or mode of nutrition (herbivore, carnivore, omnivore, saprobic).
Speakers / Sources Featured
- Mary Pen Ross, University ENT Professor of Biology
Category
Educational
