Heterotroph | Ecology - Britannica

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External Websites

• Indiana University Bloomington - The Heterotroph Hypothesis for the Evolution of the Basic Metabolic Processes
• Biology LibreTexts - Autotrophs and Heterotrophs

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• heterotroph - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)

Ask the Chatbot a Question Also known as: heterotrophy Written and fact-checked by Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Britannica Editors History Table of Contents Table of Contents Ask the Chatbot

heterotroph, in ecology, an organism that consumes other organisms in a food chain.

Related Topics: mycoheterotroph trophic pyramid decomposer consumer organotroph (Show more) See all related content

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In contrast to autotrophs, heterotrophs are unable to produce organic substances from inorganic ones. They must rely on an organic source of carbon that has originated as part of another living organism. Heterotrophs depend either directly or indirectly on autotrophs for nutrients and food energy. For example, raccoons might consume corn (maize) planted in a field, or they might catch and eat rodents that rely on corn as a food source.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaThis article was most recently revised and updated by Meg Matthias.