Question

in what way are heterotrophs dependent on photosynthesis by autotrophs (explain at a 6th grade level)

Answer 1

Hello! Autotrophs make their own food (plants) and heterotrophs consume other organisms for energy (consumers.) Autotrophs use the process of photosynthesis to produce the oxygen as one of its products. Heterotrophs use the oxygen produced by the autotrophs to perform cellular respiration, which releases carbon dioxide that plants use; it's a balanced cycle. Hope this helps!

Answer 2

Plants are referred to as autotrophs. Auto– means "self," and in this case, –troph means "feeding." Autotrophs are those organisms that make their own food. All plants are autotrophs, and so are algae and many bacteria. Organisms that are unable to produce glucose through photosynthesis are called heterotrophs. Heterotrophs obtain organic food molecules for energy and nutrition by eating other organisms or by eating and absorbing by-products of other organisms.