Chapter 2, Problem 16A

Summary Introduction

To establish:

The relation between decomposers, heterotrophs, and carnivores.

Introduction:

Decomposers, heterotrophs, and carnivores are a type of method adopted to obtain nutrients and food by an organism. Nutrients or food are the primary sources of energy for an organism. Different organisms follow different modes of food or nutrient intake depending on their living conditions and the adaptations in their body. 

Explanation of Solution

Organisms are broadly classified as heterotrophs and autotrophs on the basis of how they obtain their food. Autotrophs are the organisms that produce their own food using inorganic compounds and sunlight (in the majority of cases). Heterotrophs are incapable of producing their own food and thus depend on others and indirectly on autotrophs for their food requirement. Heterotrophs are further divided into herbivores, carnivores, omnivores, and decomposers.

Carnivores are the organisms that feed on other living animals, unlike herbivores that feed on plants or vegetation. These organisms kill and capture other animals to eat them. The animal that gets captured is known as prey and the one that captures prey is known as a predator. An example of carnivores includes lions.

Decomposers are like detritivores that feed on dead and decaying matter present in the ecosystem. These organisms play an important role in returning nutrients to their original sources like soil, water, and air. An example of decomposers includes worms.

Conclusion

Decomposers and carnivores are the subdivisions of heterotrophs that depend on other organisms for their nutrient and food requirements.