(consumer) organisms that cannot make their own food and must obtain energy by eating other living things.

organisms that must have carbon-energy compounds

Organisms that can only get the organic molecules and energy necessary for life through the consumption of other organic matter. In the food web, all consumers and decomposers are heterotrophs. Heterotrophs can be herbivores, carnivores, or omnivores.

One of two categories in which microorganisms are classified on the basis of their carbon source. Heterotrophs use organic compounds such as carbohydrates, lipids, and hydrocarbons as a carbon and energy source.