heterotrófia

Heterotrofia is a term used in biology to describe organisms that cannot produce their own food and therefore rely on other organisms for nourishment. This contrasts with autotrophs, such as plants, which can synthesize their own food through processes like photosynthesis. Heterotrophs obtain energy and carbon by consuming organic matter.

There are several types of heterotrophs, broadly categorized by their diet. Herbivores consume plants, carnivores consume other animals, and omnivores consume both plants and animals. Decomposers, like fungi and bacteria, are also heterotrophs; they obtain nutrients by breaking down dead organic material. Detritivores are a specific type of decomposer that consume dead organic matter directly.

Heterotrophy is a fundamental ecological concept, as it describes the flow of energy through ecosystems. Consumers occupy different trophic levels, with herbivores being primary consumers, carnivores being secondary or tertiary consumers, and so on. The interconnectedness of these feeding relationships forms the basis of food webs. Without heterotrophs, organic matter would not be efficiently recycled, and the flow of energy would be significantly disrupted. Understanding heterotrophy is crucial for comprehending ecosystem dynamics and biodiversity.