Which group must obtain energy by consuming other organisms?

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Multiple Choice

Which group must obtain energy by consuming other organisms?

Organisms obtain energy in two broad ways: some capture energy directly from the environment to build their own organic molecules, while others must eat or absorb already-formed organic compounds from other organisms. Those that must obtain energy by consuming other organisms are heterotrophs. They can’t perform photosynthesis or chemosynthesis to fix carbon, so they rely on preformed organic material from living or recently living sources for their energy and carbon. Autotrophs (producers) use sunlight or inorganic chemical energy to synthesize their own organic matter, so they don’t depend on consuming other organisms for energy. Decomposers break down dead organic material to release energy, which means they rely on material produced by others, but their primary strategy is decomposition rather than ingesting living prey. The strongest fit for “must obtain energy by consuming other organisms” is heterotrophs.

Organisms obtain energy in two broad ways: some capture energy directly from the environment to build their own organic molecules, while others must eat or absorb already-formed organic compounds from other organisms. Those that must obtain energy by consuming other organisms are heterotrophs. They can’t perform photosynthesis or chemosynthesis to fix carbon, so they rely on preformed organic material from living or recently living sources for their energy and carbon.

Autotrophs (producers) use sunlight or inorganic chemical energy to synthesize their own organic matter, so they don’t depend on consuming other organisms for energy. Decomposers break down dead organic material to release energy, which means they rely on material produced by others, but their primary strategy is decomposition rather than ingesting living prey. The strongest fit for “must obtain energy by consuming other organisms” is heterotrophs.

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