Question

Distinguish between the following:

Autotrophs and Heterotrophs

Answer 1

Sr. No.	Autotrophs	Heterotrophs
1.	They prepare their own food from simple inorganic raw materials.	They depend on autotrophs for their food and are unable to synthesize their own food.
2.	They synthesize organic compounds by photosynthesis or chemosynthesis.	They obtain energy by consuming other living or dead organisms.
3.	Serve as primary producers in ecosystems.	Serve as consumers and decomposers in ecosystems.
4.	Found at the base of the food chain.	Found at higher trophic levels in food chains.
5.	For example, green plants and some bacteria.	For example, animals, fungi, and many bacteria.