Organisms which obtain their food from nonliving material environment are called

Options

A. Autotrophs
B. Epiphytes
C. Parasites
D. Saprophytes

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding the Question**: The question asks for the term used to describe organisms that obtain their food from non-living material in their environment.

2. **Analyzing the Options**:
- **Autotrophs**: These are organisms that produce their own food using light or chemical energy, primarily from carbon dioxide. They are not dependent on non-living material for nutrients but rather use living material to produce food. Therefore, this option is incorrect.

- **Epiphytes**: These organisms grow on the surface of other plants but do not derive nutrients from them. Instead, they obtain nutrients from non-living sources such as air, rain, and debris. This makes them a suitable candidate for the answer.

- **Parasites**: Parasites live on or inside a host organism and obtain nutrients directly from the host. This relationship is detrimental to the host, and since they rely on living organisms for sustenance, this option is incorrect.

- **Saprophytes**: These organisms feed on dead or decaying organic matter. While they do obtain nutrients from non-living material, they specifically require dead organic matter, which does not fit the broader definition of non-living material in the environment.

3. **Identifying the Correct Answer**: After evaluating all the options, the best fit for organisms that obtain their food from non-living material in the environment is **epiphytes**.

4. **Conclusion**: Therefore, the answer to the question is that organisms which obtain their food from non-living material in the environment are called **epiphytes**.

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