What is the difference between Autotrophic and Heterotrophic Nutrition?

Autotrophic Nutrition:

1. Autotrophs prepare organic food by photosynthesis.

2. It is mainly of two types – photoautotrophic and chemo autotrophic nutrition.

3. They depend on solar energy directly.

4. In this process CO₂ is taken and O₂ is released. E.g. Green plant and animal like Euglena.

Heterotrophic Nutrition:

1. Heterotroph depends on autotrphs for food.

2. It may be holozoic, saprozoic, osmotrophic, parasitic, etc.

3. They depend on solar energy indirectly.

4. In this process food is taken into body and undigested food is released outside of the body, e.g. Bacteria and all animals.