What is the difference between Autotrophs and Heterotrophs?

If you are studying biology, then you may have heard of heterotrophs and autotrophs. When you say autotrophs, these are living creatures that will make sure that they will store chemical energy easily. This means that they will have the ability to create their own food with the use of some raw materials.

An example of an autotroph is a plant. They will be able to get their own food with the use of different materials to sustain themselves. Heterotrophs, on the other hand, are known to be consumers. A human being is an example of a heterotroph. Humans would need to rely on autotrophs so that they will have something to eat because they will not be able to produce their own food.

Autotrophs are plants that make their food for nourishment. The raw nutrients and minerals that are procured are put into special cells. They create food through photosynthesis by absorbing the sunlight and transforms it into its energy production in the process of food conversion. Autotrophs are mostly known as producers, and Heterotrophs are animals that cannot make their food.

This situation includes mammals in the animal kingdom. Heterotrophs will have to either hunt for their food, eat other animals, and they may also eat plant life. Human beings are known as consumers, and we need external sources for our food. Since we cannot create our own food like plants, we consume food through the act of eating, digesting, and absorbing. It gives us energy and maintains health.