Learn more about autotrophs and heterotrophs!

1. Heterotrophs and Autotrophs
Grade 11 Life Sciences

2.  Organisms that can make
their own food (Ardash, 2015)
 Plants are types of
autotrophs that produce their
own food through the process
of photosynthesis
 These organisms are called
producers
Autotrophs

3. Plants as producers
 They belong to the
Kingdom Plantae (Dundas,
2012).
 They are divided into four
groups, which are:
Bryophyta.
Pteridophytes
Gymnosperms
Angiosperms

4. What is photosynthesis?
 It is a process by which
green plants and some other
organisms use sunlight to
synthesize nutrients from
carbon dioxide and water
(Motsoko, 2022).

5. Why are autotrophs important
Autotrophs are extremely
important because without them,
no other forms of life can exist.
No herbivorous animals could exist,
and no carnivorous animals that eat
herbivores could exist.
Carnivore – animals that eat plants
only (Jason, 2022)
Herbivore – animals that eat meat
only (Jason, 2022)

6.  Organisms that cannot
make their own food.
 Types of heterotrophs are
carnivores, omnivores,
decomposers and
saprophytes.
 They are called
consumers
Heterotrophs

7. Decomposers and saprophytes
 Decomposers
Organisms that break down dead material of both animals and plants in
the ecosystem. E.g., bacteria, fungi
 Saprophytes
Organisms that feed on dead and decaying organic material (plant
matter). E.g., Fungi

8. Differences between autotrophs and heterotrophs

9. Plants and animals in South Africa
According to Groos (2011)There are over 100 000 known species of plants,
animals and fungi in South Africa. Scientists believe that there are at least another
50 000 species in the country that have not yet been discovered and/ or named.
 Visitors to South Africa are always keen to catch a glimpse and a photo of the
country's celebrated Big Five: elephant, lion, rhinoceros, buffalo and leopard.
 Protea is a South Africa's national flower.
 Springbok is South Africa’s national animal.
 Galjoen is South Africa’s national fish.

10. References
Ardash, R. (2015) Types of autotrophs. Available from SlideShare at
https://www.slideshare.net/rakhiadarsh/nutrition-45106027?qid=e6ec86e5-47c2-4f67-9b8c-
4058d6e00e3a&v=&b=&from_search=6 (Accessed 18 August 2022).
Dundas, D. (2021) Unit 1 Classification Biodiversity Representation. Available at from SlideShare at
https://www.slideshare.net/notesmaster/unit-1-classification-biodiversity-
presentation?qid=586f4eb4-9ec2-4997-bdf5-c4179b6177e0&v=&b=&from_search=6 (Accessed 19 August
2022).
Groos, M. (2011) Reforestation tree species Trees for Tourism. Available from SlideShare at
https://www.slideshare.net/MaartenGroos/reforestation-tree-species-trees-for-tourism-
8810541?qid=22041ba8-6d52-4108-a7ec-6b5ff90700cf&v=&b=&from_search=2 (Accessed 20 August
2022)
Jason, T. V. (2022) Animal Nutrition. Available from SlideShare at
https://www.slideshare.net/TeslinVenusJason (Accessed 20 August 2022).
Motsoko, K. (2022) Photosynthesis. Available from SlideShare at
https://www.slideshare.net/Kgotsofalang (Accessed 20 August 2022).