Question

Which of the following statements is the correct distinction between autotrophs and heterotrophs?
A) Only heterotrophs need to acquire chemical compounds from the environment
B) Cellular respiration is unique to heterotrophs
C) Only heterotrophs have mitochondria
D) Autotrophs, but not heterotrophs, can nourish themselves beginning with nutrients that are entirely inorganic

Answer 1

Animals are called heterotrophs or autotrophs on the basis of their mode of nutrition. Nutrition is the study of nutrients in the body. Nutrients are obtained from the food and are essential for the proper functioning of life. Nutrients provide us with good health, energy. There are many nutrients that must be present in our diet like carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, etc.
Complete answer:

Autotrophs are the organisms that make food on their own by the process of photosynthesis.
Photosynthesis is a process by which green plants make their food with the help of chlorophyll, sunlight, water and carbon dioxide.Examples of autotrophs are plants and algae.
Heterotrophs are the organisms that cannot make their own food.
Heterotrophs depend on other organisms for their food like on plant products or animals.
Differences between autotrophs and heterotrophs:
The differences between autotrophs and heterotrophs are as follows-

S.No.	Autotrophs	Heterotrophs
1	Autotrophs are the organisms that can make their own food by using some inorganic materials from the environment like carbon dioxide, water, etc.	Heterotrophs are organisms that cannot make their food by themselves. They are dependent on other animals for their food.
2	Autotrophs are the primary level in the food chain.	Heterotrophs are the secondary and tertiary level in the food chain.
3	Autotrophs take carbon dioxide and release oxygen.	Heterotrophs take oxygen and release carbon dioxide.
4	In the autotrophs process of digestion is absent. Here the food get stored in the stem, leave or fruit.	Heterotrophs have a proper digestive system. So, here there is no stored food present.
5	Examples – green plants and algae and some bacteria	Examples – animals like cow, dog, squirrel, monkey, etc. including humans

Therefore it has been clear from the above discussion that the statement of option D is the correct distinction between autotrophs and heterotrophs.
Hence, option D is the correct answer.
Note: Autotrophs convert solar energy into chemical energy in the form of organic food. Food provides the energy to do work and also carbon to build the body. They pass their 10% of the energy to the organism who consumed the plant parts or their products. The animals who feed on plants are called herbivores.