ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Heterotroph

A heterotroph is an organism that cannot make its own food, so it has to eat other organisms to get the energy and nutrients it needs to survive. Imagine that you are hungry and you need to eat something to feel better. Just like you, heterotrophs need to eat to stay alive. Some heterotrophs eat plants while others eat other animals.

For example, a lion is a heterotroph because it needs to hunt and eat other animals like antelopes or zebras to survive. Similarly, a snake is a heterotroph because it eats mice or other small animals for food.

Humans are also heterotrophs because we eat plants or animals to get the energy and nutrients we need to grow and stay healthy. When we eat, our bodies break down the food into smaller molecules that we can use, such as sugars, amino acids, and fats.

In summary, a heterotroph is an organism that cannot make its own food and must eat other organisms to survive.