Heterotrófok

Heterotrófok, or heterotrophs, are organisms that obtain their carbon and energy from pre-formed organic compounds rather than fixing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. They rely on organic matter produced by other organisms, in contrast to autotrophs, which synthesize organic molecules from inorganic carbon sources such as CO2.

Most heterotrophs acquire energy by oxidizing organic molecules, a mode known as chemoorganotrophy. A subset uses light to generate energy while still deriving carbon from organic compounds, a strategy called photoheterotrophy. Heterotrophs can be aerobic, anaerobic, or facultatively anaerobic, and they occupy diverse ecological roles, including parasites, mutualists, and decomposers (saprotrophs).

The ecological importance of heterotrophs is substantial. They drive the decomposition of organic matter, recycle nutrients, and transfer energy through food webs, supporting a wide range of organisms from microbes to large animals. In many ecosystems, heterotrophs regulate the turnover of carbon and other elements, influencing soil fertility, soil structure, and ecosystem productivity.

In microbiology and ecology, heterotrophy describes a metabolic lifestyle rather than a strict taxonomic group. It encompasses a broad array of organisms, including animals, fungi, and many bacteria and protists. Understanding heterotrophs helps explain patterns of energy flow, nutrient cycling, and the interactions that structure biological communities.