(consumer) organisms that cannot make their own food and must obtain energy by eating other living things.
organisms that must have carbon-energy compounds
Organisms that can only get the organic molecules and energy necessary for life through the consumption of other organic matter. In the food web, all consumers and decomposers are heterotrophs. Heterotrophs can be herbivores, carnivores, or omnivores.
One of two categories in which microorganisms are classified on the basis of their carbon source. Heterotrophs use organic compounds such as carbohydrates, lipids, and hydrocarbons as a carbon and energy source.
Organisms that obtain their nutrition by breaking down organic molecules in foods; include animals and fungi.
Greek: hetero = other + troph = feeder. Organisms unable to make their own organic compounds; feed on autotrophs, other heterotrophs, and organic wastes.
microorganisms which require carbon dioxide and other organic compounds for their nutrition and energy needs.
Organisms capable of deriving nutrient for growth and sustenance from organic compounds but incapable of synthesizing carbon compounds from atmospheric carbon dioxide.