How do heterotrophs get carbon molecules?

Answer by  Danisorano (57)

Heterotrophs are organisms that consume things in order to get nutrients. In order to get carbon molecules they must consume something containing carbon. Carbon is found in fats, carbohydrates, proteins and nucleic acids so consuming things with any of those things in them would be consuming carbon as well. Some examples of foods that contain carbon are meats and breads.

Answer by  quisqualis (1756)

Heterotrophs get their carbon by eating the bodies of other organisms, either dead or alive. Heterotrophs cannot make food from CO2, but they can eat the autotrophs (food-makers), and/or other heterotrophs.

Answer by  dinesh76 (25)

Heterotrophs are those who are not able to prepare their own food,hence they get their food from autotrophs mainly. The food they get is stored in the form of glycogen in liver and muscle cells of body. This glycogen is the rich source of glucose which contains carbon molecules.

Answer by  minisudhakaran (77)

Heterotrophs get carbon molecules from their food, i. e. , autotrophs since they can prepare food from carbon dioxide and water in the presence of sunlight.

Answer by  TomD (6)

Heterotrophs get their food from autotrophs. The food they store is glycogen. Glycogen is the source of glucose which is made of carbon molecules.

Answer by  William8163 (5)

As they cannot fix carbon themselves, heterotrophs must absorb organic compounds to supply their carbon requirements. Once acquired, the organic compounds are either used directly, or broken down so their carbon can be used to create more useful molecules.