Question

which of the following statements is a correct distinction between autotrophs and heterotrophs?
autotrophs, but not heterotrophs, can nourish themselves beginning with co2 and other nutrients that are inorganic.
only heterotrophs require chemical compounds from the environment.
cellular respiration is unique to heterotrophs.
only heterotrophs have mitochondria.

Explanation:

• Autotrophs can produce their own food from inorganic substances like \(CO_2\) (e.g., through photosynthesis in plants: \(6CO_2 + 6H_2O

ightarrow C_6H_{12}O_6+6O_2\)). Heterotrophs cannot do this and rely on consuming other organisms (autotrophs or other heterotrophs) for food.

• All organisms (both autotrophs and heterotrophs) require chemical compounds from the environment. For example, autotrophs need water (\(H_2O\)) and minerals from the soil.
• Cellular respiration (\(C_6H_{12}O_6 + 6O_2

ightarrow6CO_2+6H_2O+\text{energy}\)) occurs in both autotrophs and heterotrophs. Autotrophs use the glucose they produce (or store) and oxygen to release energy.

• Both autotrophs (e.g., plant cells, which are eukaryotic autotrophs) and heterotrophs (e.g., animal cells, which are eukaryotic heterotrophs) have mitochondria. Mitochondria are the sites of cellular respiration in eukaryotic cells.

Answer:

A. Autotrophs, but not heterotrophs, can nourish themselves beginning with \(CO_2\) and other nutrients that are inorganic.