Question

a protist with a combination of heterotrophic and autotrophic characteristics is what?

a heterotroph

a biotroph

a mixotroph

an autotroph

Explanation:

1. A heterotroph only obtains energy by consuming other organic matter, so it does not match the description.
2. A biotroph is a parasite that only feeds on living host tissue, which is not related to having both autotrophic and heterotrophic traits.
3. A mixotroph is an organism that can use both autotrophic (like photosynthesis) and heterotrophic (consuming other organisms) modes to obtain energy and nutrients, which fits the protist in the question.
4. An autotroph only produces its own organic compounds from inorganic sources, so it does not fit the description.

Answer:

C. A mixotroph