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  • Heterotrophs: Definition, Examples & How They Obtain Energy
    The term for an organism that obtains its energy by eating other organisms is a heterotroph.

    Here's a breakdown:

    * Hetero means "other"

    * Troph means "nourishment"

    So, a heterotroph literally means "other nourishment," indicating that it gets its energy from consuming other organisms.

    Here are some examples of heterotrophs:

    * Animals: All animals are heterotrophs.

    * Fungi: Fungi obtain their nutrients by absorbing them from decaying organic matter.

    * Some bacteria: Many bacteria are decomposers, breaking down dead organisms for energy.

    * Parasites: Parasites live in or on other organisms and feed off of them.

    In contrast, autotrophs are organisms that can produce their own food through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis.

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