Heterotrophs
Definition
Heterotrophs are organisms that cannot manufacture their own food and instead rely on consuming other organisms—plant or animal—for energy.
Analogy
Heterotrophs are like shoppers at a grocery store. They can't produce their own food so they have to go out and get it from somewhere else.
Related terms
Consumer: An organism that generally obtains food by feeding on other organisms or organic matter due to lack of the ability to manufacture own food from inorganic sources; a heterotrophic organism.
Carnivore: An animal that feeds on flesh.
Herbivore: An animal that gets its energy from eating plants.
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