Heterotrophs contrast with autotrophs<span>, such as </span>plants<span> and </span>algae<span>, which can use energy from </span>sunlight(photoautotrophs) or inorganic compounds (lithoautotrophs<span>) to produce </span>organic compounds<span> such as </span>carbohydrates<span>, </span>fats<span>, and </span>proteins<span> from inorganic </span>carbon dioxide. These reduced carbon compounds can be used as an energy source by the autotroph and provide the energy in food consumed by heterotrophs. Ninety-five percent or more of all types of living organisms are heterotrophic, including all animals and fungi and most bacteria and protists.<span>[4]</span>
