What is the mode of nutrition in which organisms take in nutrients in solution form from dead and decaying matter called?

The correct answer is Saprotrophic nutrition.

Key Points

• Saprotrophic nutrition is a mode of nutrition in which organisms obtain nutrients in solution form from dead and decaying organic matter.
• Organisms like fungi, bacteria, and certain protists utilize this method to decompose organic matter.
• Saprotrophic organisms release digestive enzymes onto the decaying matter to break it down into simpler substances, which are then absorbed.
• Examples of saprotrophic organisms include mushrooms, molds, and certain bacteria such as Bacillus and Pseudomonas species.
• Such organisms play a crucial role in the ecosystem by recycling nutrients and aiding in the decomposition of organic matter.

Additional Information

• Autotrophic Nutrition:
  • In autotrophic nutrition, organisms synthesize their own food using sunlight (photosynthesis) or chemical energy (chemosynthesis).
  • Examples include plants, algae, and cyanobacteria.
• Heterotrophic Nutrition:
  • Heterotrophic organisms depend on other organisms for food and cannot synthesize their own.
  • Examples include animals, fungi, and most bacteria.
• Parasitic Nutrition:
  • Parasitic organisms derive nutrition from a host organism, often harming the host in the process.
  • Examples include tapeworms, lice, and parasitic plants like Cuscuta.
• Role of Saprotrophs in Ecosystems:
  • Saprotrophs help in decomposing dead organic matter, preventing accumulation in the environment.
  • They release nutrients back into the soil, supporting plant growth and maintaining ecosystem balance.