Names: _______________________ Group No.

: _____
_______________________ Date: _________
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
Strand, Grade and Section: __________

ACTIVITY 3
Nutrition of Plants and Animals
Introduction:
Nutrition is the process by which organisms obtain, assimilate, and utilize food to support their
growth, development, reproduction, and overall health. It involves a complex series of biochemical and
physiological activities that help provide the energy and essential nutrients needed by living organisms.
These nutrients are used for energy production, building and repairing tissues, maintaining cellular
functions, and supporting the immune system. Nutrition is classified into different types based on the way
organisms obtain and process food. Here are the primary types of nutrition:

1. Autotrophic Nutrition
Autotrophic nutrition is the process by which organisms produce their own food. These organisms use
simple substances like water, carbon dioxide, and minerals to synthesize complex organic molecules,
primarily using energy from sunlight or inorganic chemical reactions.
• Photosynthesis (Photoautotrophy):
• Organisms like plants, algae, and some bacteria use sunlight as the energy source to
convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen.
Example: Green plants, algae, and cyanobacteria.
• Chemosynthesis (Chemoautotrophy):
• Some organisms, especially bacteria, use energy from chemical reactions (not sunlight) to
produce food. They obtain energy from inorganic substances like hydrogen sulfide or
methane.
Example: Some bacteria found in deep-sea vents and other extreme environments.
2. Heterotrophic Nutrition
Heterotrophic nutrition involves organisms obtaining food by consuming other organisms (plants, animals,
or both). These organisms cannot produce their own food and rely on external sources of organic
compounds.
• Types of Heterotrophic Nutrition:
1. Holozoic Nutrition: Organisms ingest solid food, digest it, absorb nutrients, and eliminate
waste.
Example: Humans, animals, and some protozoans.
▪ Subtypes of Holozoic Nutrition:
▪ Herbivores: Animals that eat only plants (e.g., cows, deer).
▪ Carnivores: Animals that eat other animals (e.g., lions, eagles).
▪ Omnivores: Animals that eat both plants and animals (e.g., humans, pigs).
▪ Detritivores: Organisms that feed on dead and decaying organic matter
(e.g., earthworms, beetles).
2. Saprophytic Nutrition: Organisms that feed on dead or decaying organic matter. They
release enzymes to break down the food externally and then absorb the nutrients.
Example: Fungi, some bacteria, and decomposers in ecosystems.
3. Parasitic Nutrition: Organisms, called parasites, live on or inside a host organism and
obtain food at the host's expense, often harming the host.
 Example: Tapeworms, lice, and some types of bacteria (e.g., malaria-causing
Plasmodium).
4. Symbiotic Nutrition: In this relationship, two organisms of different species live together,
and both or one of the organisms benefit from the interaction.
▪ Mutualism: Both organisms’ benefit (e.g., nitrogen-fixing bacteria in plant roots).
▪ Commensalism: One organism benefit, while the other is neither helped nor
harmed (e.g., birds feeding on insects disturbed by grazing animals).
▪ Parasitism: One organism benefit at the expense of the other (e.g., ticks on
mammals).
3. Mixotrophic Nutrition
Some organisms can use both autotrophic and heterotrophic modes of nutrition, depending on
environmental conditions. These organisms are called mixotrophs.
Example: Euglena, a type of protist, can perform photosynthesis when light is available but can
also engulf food particles when light is insufficient.

Summary of Types of Nutrition:

Type of Description Examples
Nutrition
Autotrophic Organisms produce their own food. Plants (photosynthesis), bacteria
(chemosynthesis).
Heterotrophic Organisms consume other organisms for Animals, fungi, protozoa.
food.
Holozoic Ingest solid food, digest it, and absorb Humans, lions, cows.
nutrients.
Saprophytic Feed on dead or decaying matter. Fungi, bacteria, earthworms.
Parasitic Live on or inside a host and obtain food Tapeworms, lice.
from it.
Symbiotic Live together with another organism; Nitrogen-fixing bacteria, lichens.
both or one benefits.
Mixotrophic Use both autotrophic and heterotrophic Euglena, some plants.
nutrition.

There are several types of essential nutrients that organisms need to thrive. These nutrients can be broadly
categorized into:
1. Macronutrients – These are nutrients required in large amounts for energy and body structure:
o Carbohydrates: Provide energy.
o Proteins: Build and repair tissues and are essential for enzymes and hormones.
o Fats (Lipids): Provide long-term energy storage, insulate organs, and assist in absorbing
vitamins.
2. Micronutrients – These are nutrients required in smaller amounts but are essential for proper
metabolic functioning:
o Vitamins: Organic compounds that help regulate metabolism, immune function, and other
physiological processes.
o Minerals: Inorganic elements that support bone health, nerve function, and muscle
function.
3. Water: An essential component that helps maintain hydration, regulates body temperature, and
assists in various bodily functions like digestion and nutrient transportation.
4. Fiber: Although not digested by the body, fiber is important for digestive health and preventing
constipation.
Process of Nutrition
The process of nutrition can be broken down into several stages:
1. Ingestion: The intake of food or nutrients into the body.
2. Digestion: The breakdown of food into simpler molecules, such as amino acids, sugars, and fatty
acids, which can be absorbed by the body.
3. Absorption: The process by which the digested food molecules are absorbed into the bloodstream
or cells.
4. Assimilation: The incorporation of absorbed nutrients into the cells for use in metabolism, growth,
and repair.
5. Egestion: The removal of undigested food and waste products from the body (excretion).

I. Concept Mapping
Direction: Make a concept on the modes of nutrition of both animals and plants. Write your answer in the
space provided.
II. Fill the Table
Direction: Listed in the following table are different organisms. Identify their mode of nutrition by
checking the appropriate boxes.

Autotrophic Heterotrophic
Species Photo- Chemo- Holozoic
autotrophic autotrophic Saprophytic Parasitic Herbivore Carnivore Omnivore
Gumamela
Tick
Ascaris
lumbricoides
Moringa olifera
Oryza sativa
Vulture
Bread Mold
Euglena
Diphyllobotrium
latum
Anura

Guide Questions:
1. Which of the organism(s) listed is/are considered as plants?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________

2. Which of the organism(s) listed is/are not considered as plants or an animal?

_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________

3. What is the difference between photoautotrophic and chemoautotrophic types of nutrition?

_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Conclusion:

References: (In APA format)