Define the general difference between an autotroph and a heterotroph

Explanation:

If we break down the word autotroph, auto means “self” and troph means "feeding" or nourishment. However, when we break the word heterotroph, we get hetero- meaning other, and troph meaning feeders.

This is the critical difference between these two groups. Autotrophs synthesize or make their own food whereas, heterotrophs cannot make their own food thus have to rely on others by eating or absorbing others. For example, plants are autotrophs because they can make their own food using photosynthesis, whereas, humans are heterotrophs because we have to eat others to survive.

the transfer of energy between two molecules spaced just nanometers apart plays a key role in many technologies, including photovoltaics, quantum information systems, lighting, and sensors, as well as in biophysics to measure nanometer distances and in photosynthesis. but an open question in this area is what effect, if any, the surrounding photonic environment has on this nanoscale energy transfer. by designing and performing a carefully controlled experiment to answer this question, scientists have settled the debate and found clues to improving the efficiency of many of the technologies that rely on this process.

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