Which type of organism obtains carbon from organic carbon sources?

Heterotrophs are organisms that obtain their carbon from organic sources, meaning they rely on other living or recent organic matter for their carbon supply. This is in contrast to autotrophs, which synthesize their own organic carbon from inorganic sources, such as carbon dioxide, typically via processes like photosynthesis or chemosynthesis. Heterotrophs are essential for ecosystems as they play a vital role in the breakdown and recycling of organic matter. They encompass a wide range of organisms, including animals, fungi, and many bacteria that cannot fix carbon dioxide from the atmosphere into organic compounds. Understanding the distinct roles of heterotrophs helps in grasping the dynamics of energy flow and nutrient cycling within ecosystems.