Unlike plants that make their own food, heterotrophic organisms must obtain nutrition by consuming other living things. This feeding strategy has evolved into diverse and fascinating forms, from simple single-celled organisms that engulf their prey to complex parasites that live inside their hosts.
đŦ Key Concepts
Heterotrophs depend on other organisms for food
Different feeding strategies exist across species
Enzymes break down complex food molecules
Single-celled organisms show diverse feeding methods
Incredible Fact!
Some single-celled organisms can consume prey larger than themselves by slowly engulfing them over several hours!
đ¯ Learning Objectives
Explore different heterotrophic nutrition strategies, understand how single-celled organisms feed, and discover the role of enzymes in digestion.