Plants are autotrophs and animals are heterotrophs. What similar sounding term is used for decomposers?

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Autotrophs**:
- Autotrophs are organisms that can produce their own food using sunlight, water, carbon dioxide, and other chemicals.
- Example: Plants are considered autotrophs because they perform photosynthesis to create their food.

2. **Understanding Heterotrophs**:
- Heterotrophs are organisms that cannot produce their own food and instead obtain energy and nutrients by consuming other organisms, such as plants and animals.
- Example: Animals are heterotrophs because they rely on consuming plants or other animals for their energy needs.

3. **Identifying Decomposers**:
- Decomposers are organisms that break down dead organic matter, returning nutrients to the soil and helping in the recycling of nutrients in an ecosystem.
- Example: Fungi and bacteria are common decomposers.

4. **Finding the Similar Sounding Term**:
- The question asks for a term that sounds similar to "heterotrophs" and is used for decomposers.
- The term that fits this description is "saprotrophs."

5. **Understanding Saprotrophs**:
- Saprotrophs are organisms that obtain their food by absorbing nutrients from decaying organic matter.
- They play a crucial role in the ecosystem by breaking down dead material and recycling nutrients.

**Final Answer**: The similar sounding term used for decomposers is "saprotrophs."

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