the beings autotrophs and heterotrophs are part of the constant flow of energy in nature, essential for the maintenance of life on Earth. This flow of energy occurs during food chains and the food webs.
In the food chain, an organism produces energy and it is passed on to other individuals through food.
see more
Biology teacher fired after class on XX and XY chromosomes;…
Cannabidiol found in common plant in Brazil brings new perspective…
autotrophs
The organisms autotrophic They can also be called autotrophs or producers. This group is composed of organisms that produce their own food through photosynthesis.
Therefore, autotrophic individuals do not need to consume any other organism for energy and are the base of the food chains, because they are the ones that produce the energy that will be passed on to other living beings.
Autotrophs are mostly green organisms. plants, but we can also find some seaweed It is cyanobacteria that carry out photosynthesis because they have chloroplasts or other pigments that absorb Sun light.
In some rare instances, energy can be generated through chemical oxidation, without the presence of sunlight, in a process called chemosynthesis that gives rise to organic matter from inorganic substances, as nitrogen and the sulfur.
Chemosynthesis is carried out mainly by some bacteria that participate in the nitrogen or sulfur cycle.
Click here to save this mind map as a PDF!
Heterotrophs
the beings heterotrophs are those that obtain energy and nutrients by feeding on other living beings. How can they not produce carbon, they need to utilize carbon sources from other organisms.
They can also be called heterotrophs and are consumers in the food chain, and may depend directly or indirectly on autotrophs.
Those who depend directly have a herbivore feeding, based on producers. Carnivores, on the other hand, depend indirectly, as they consume most herbivorous animals for energy.
See too:
- What is biosphere?
- What is ATP?
- What is Molecule?
