On Earth, living a great many living creatures.For the convenience of their study the researchers classified all organisms on different grounds.By type of food all life is divided into two large groups - autotrophs and heterotrophs.In addition, there is a group mixotrophy - are organisms adapted to both types of food.In this article, we will discuss features of the two main groups of life and find out what is the difference from autotrophs heterotrophs.
Autotrophs - organisms that synthesize their own organic matter from inorganic.In this group are some types of bacteria and almost all organisms belonging to the kingdom of plants.During its life activity autotrophs utilize various inorganic substances entering from the outside (carbon dioxide, nitrogen, hydrogen sulfide, iron, etc.), their cycling reactions in the synthesis of complex organic compounds (primarily carbohydrates and proteins).
heterotrophic organisms feed on organic matter ready, they are not able to synthesize their own.This group includes mushrooms, animals (including humans), some bacteria and even some plants (some parasitic species).
As we can see, the main difference from autotrophic heterotrophic lies in the chemical nature of the nutrition they need.Different processes and the nature of their power.Autotrophic organisms expend energy when converting inorganic substances into organic, heterotrophic energy when food is not spend.Autotrophs and heterotrophs further divided into two groups depending on the energy source (in the first case) and on the edible substrate, the second type of microorganism used.
Among autotrophs isolated photoautotrophic organisms and chemoautotrophic.Photoautotrophs for transformations using the energy of sunlight.It is important to note that in this group of organisms, the specific process occurs - photosynthesis (or a process similar to type it).Carbon dioxide prevraschetsya in various organic compounds.Chemoautotrophs use energy obtained by other chemical reactions.This group includes a variety of bacteria.
heterotrophic microorganisms are divided into metatrofy and paratrofy.Metatrofy as a substrate of organic compounds used dead organisms, paratrofy - alive.
autotrophs and heterotrophs occupy a certain position in the food chain.Autotrophs always the producers - they create an organic substance that later tested way through the whole chain.Heterotrophs are different orders by consumers (as a rule, are in this category of animals) and decomposers (fungi, microorganisms).In other words, autotrophic and heterotrophic form between them a trophic connection.It is essential for the ecological situation in the world, since it is due to trophic relations carried out the cycle of substances in nature.
