Which type of organism would most likely be classified as a heterotroph?

The classification of an organism as a heterotroph is based on its method of obtaining energy and nutrition. Heterotrophs are organisms that cannot synthesize their own food and instead rely on consuming other organisms (plants, animals, or decomposed organic matter) for sustenance.

In this case, a decomposer that breaks down dead organic matter fits the definition of a heterotroph perfectly. Decomposers, such as fungi and certain bacteria, break down complex organic materials into simpler substances, effectively obtaining their nutrients from the remains of once-living organisms. This process is critical for nutrient recycling within ecosystems.

The other options represent organisms that are autotrophs or have different modes of nutrition. Plants that undergo photosynthesis are autotrophs because they can produce their own food using sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water. A bacterium living in extreme environments could be either an autotroph or a heterotroph, depending on its specific metabolic processes, but without further detail, it isn’t specifically identified as a heterotroph in this context. An organism that can produce its own food also indicates autotrophy, as it refers to organisms that can synthesize their own organic compounds.

Thus, identifying the decomposer as a heterotroph showcases