Mode of Nutrition in Animal

Nutrition is the basic part of survival and very important for the survival of plants and animals. Survival cannot be expected without nutrition and food. However, in animals, the mode of nutrition can be derived from different sources. Two types of nutrition or food are known as autotrophic and heterotrophic. Animals that derived their food either from plants or are directly related to it are known as herbivores. While these animals which get their food from feeding other animals are known as the carnivores. Carnivore animals are dependent on the animals. On the other hand, some animals are dependent on both plants and animals for survival and nutrition. These animals are carnivores.

Modes of Nutrition in animal overview:

Unlike plants, animals are not able to self synthesise their foods and have to depend on the other source for deriving their foods as well as nutrition. It refers to the total processing and conversion of foods in raw form to nutritious elements. Such nutrition elements provided the animals with a supply of energy for fulfilling metabolism activities, growth and repair of the cells. Nutrition is very significant for the overall development and growth of the body of the animal. Furthermore, the modes of nutrition in animals can be understood as the method of the foods that are utilised by the different types of animals for obtaining foods. Two types of nutrition or food are known as autotrophic and heterotrophic. Variation in the food habits in the animals are the result of the evolution of animals over a longer period.

Types of the mode of nutrition in animal

Different sources of nutrition are crucial for understanding the modes of nutrition in animals. There are two types of sources that can be known as the modes of nutrition that are autotrophic and heterotrophic nutrition. Animals derive their nutrition from heterotrophic mode, where they have to be dependent on the ready-made foods either on plants or on animals. The heterotrophic mode is further categorised into three types that are known as holozoic nutrition, parasitic nutrition, and saprotrophic nutrition. In parasitic nutrition, organisms derived their food from other organisms which are living and not dead. These types of organisms are known as parasitic organisms.   The living organism from which the food is being derived is known as the host. Parasitic organisms harm the plant most possibly. These are responsible for occurrences of diseases in animals, mankind, crops and other domestic animals. Parasitic animals can be better understood with examples, for instance, fungi, bacteria, roundworms and others. In context to saprotrophic nutrition, organisms derive their food by feeding on the dead animals and decaying organic materials. Such organisms are known as saprophytes for instance bacterias and fungi. The most significant modes of nutrition in animals are holozoic animals. It is further divided into three branches that are herbivores, carnivores and omnivore animals. 

The function of nutrition: 

Nutrition is significant for the survival and longevity of the living. It performs various functions in the bodies of animals. The significant functions can be understood by following 

• Nutrition is the main source of energy and helps in performing the metabolic functions for the growth and development of the body.
• It helps in repairing and building new tissues in cases of any damage in the structure of tissues.
• Proper nutrition helps in the increased absorption of fat-soluble vitamins.
• Nutrition helps in providing structure to the bones, associated ligaments and blood vessels.
• It also helps in the maintenance of the homeostasis of the body.

Conclusion 

Nutrition is an essential part of the life of living organisms. Different types of animals derived nutrition from different sources. Animals are distinguished based on their modes of nutrition such as saprophytes, parasitic and holozoic animals. Furthermore, the holozoic animals are divided based on their dependence on plants and animals. Animals that are dependent on the plants are herbivores such as cows, goats and others. Animals whose primary source of nutrition is feeding on other animals are known as carnivores, for instance, lions, crocodiles. Human beings are great examples of omnivorous animals. It depends on both sources for food and nutrition.