autotrophs and hetertrophs
Rebecca Joseph, Rhea Mathews, Daniella Harris, Tara Saju 10-21-14 Ms. Stephenson AP Biology
Autotrophs vs. Heterotrophs Autotrophic organisms are called “producers” because they create their own food. The word “autotrophic” in Greek means “self-feeding”. Most autotrophs are green plants, algae, and some bacteria. A small number of bacteria, including the ancient Archaea group are capable of generating food from sulfur or other chemical reactions, but the majority of autotrophs rely on sunlight to carry out a process called photosynthesis. In the process of “photosynthesis”, specialized molecules capture carbon from the air and bind it to water using energy produced from sunlight. There are two classes of autotrophs: chemoautotrophs and photoautotrophs. Chemoautotrophs are able to “fix” CO2 using energy they obtain from respiration. Photoautotrophs are photosynthetic which means that they use energy from the sun to break up CO2 molecules and make glucose, which they are then able to use to build up the organic matter that constitutes their own cellular matter and ultimately food for other organisms. Both photoautotrophs and chemoautotrophs use CO2 as their only carbon source to drive the synthesis of organic molecules. Photoautotrophs use photosynthesis for energy whereas chemoautotrophs oxidize inorganic compounds for energy. Heterotrophs are organisms that consume other organisms in a food chain. In contrast to autotrophs, heterotrophs are unable to produce organic substances from inorganic ones. They must rely on an inorganic source of carbon that has originated as part of another living organism. Heterotrophs depend directly or indirectly on autotrophs for nutrients and energy. Some categories of heterotrophs include herbivores, carnivores, omnivores, and scavengers. Herbivores eat autotrophs, such as plants and grass. There are several different types of herbivores varying from insects to mammals.
Autotrophs vs. Heterotrophs Autotrophic organisms are called “producers” because they create their own food. The word “autotrophic” in Greek means “self-feeding”. Most autotrophs are green plants, algae, and some bacteria. A small number of bacteria, including the ancient Archaea group are capable of generating food from sulfur or other chemical reactions, but the majority of autotrophs rely on sunlight to carry out a process called photosynthesis. In the process of “photosynthesis”, specialized molecules capture carbon from the air and bind it to water using energy produced from sunlight. There are two classes of autotrophs: chemoautotrophs and photoautotrophs. Chemoautotrophs are able to “fix” CO2 using energy they obtain from respiration. Photoautotrophs are photosynthetic which means that they use energy from the sun to break up CO2 molecules and make glucose, which they are then able to use to build up the organic matter that constitutes their own cellular matter and ultimately food for other organisms. Both photoautotrophs and chemoautotrophs use CO2 as their only carbon source to drive the synthesis of organic molecules. Photoautotrophs use photosynthesis for energy whereas chemoautotrophs oxidize inorganic compounds for energy. Heterotrophs are organisms that consume other organisms in a food chain. In contrast to autotrophs, heterotrophs are unable to produce organic substances from inorganic ones. They must rely on an inorganic source of carbon that has originated as part of another living organism. Heterotrophs depend directly or indirectly on autotrophs for nutrients and energy. Some categories of heterotrophs include herbivores, carnivores, omnivores, and scavengers. Herbivores eat autotrophs, such as plants and grass. There are several different types of herbivores varying from insects to mammals.