Question

Organisms that feed on decaying matter are called as
A. Heterotrophs
B. Saprophytes
C. Myxophytes
D. Autotrophs

Answer 1

Hint: Bacteria and fungus are examples of this type of nutrition. They grow in dead or rotting substances. They cannot make their own food.

Complete answer:
Nutrition is the act of feeding and transforming the food into energy and other essential nutrients. Nutrients are the energy supplies and biomolecules needed to perform the different roles of the body. For sufficient functioning and development all living beings require nutrients. Some species feed on basic inorganic compounds, while others use complex compounds to fulfil their food needs. The nutrition mode varies between animals.
Heterotrophs are those organisms that cannot produce their own food by fixing carbon and therefore receive its intake of food from other organic carbon sources, mostly plant and animal. In the food chain, tertiary and secondary users are heterotrophs.
Saprophytes are species which cannot make food for themselves. They feed on dead and rotting substances in order to survive. Saprophytes are fungi and several types of bacteria.
An autotroph is an organism that uses light, water, carbon dioxide or other substances to create its own food. When autotrophs grow their own food, they often call themselves producers. Plants are the most known type of autotroph, but autotrophic species are various.

Hence, the correct answer is option (B)

Note: The species are categorized as autotrophic and heterotrophic according to the mode of feeding. Autotrophs can synthesize their own inorganic food material. It is difficult for Heterotrophs to synthesize their own food. They would get food from other species. One of the forms of heterotrophs is saprophytes. They are species from dead and decayed organisms that take their food from them.