An example of an organism that takes nutrition from dead and decaying matter is known as

Appeared in: JIPMER Nursing Officer-2024

Explanation

The question asks for an organism that feeds on dead and decaying matter, which is the definition of a saprotroph.
Mushrooms are fungi, which are classic examples of saprotrophs.
They lack chlorophyll and cannot perform photosynthesis.
Instead, they secrete digestive enzymes onto the dead organic material and absorb the resulting simple nutrients.

Option A: Grass is an autotroph, meaning it produces its own food through photosynthesis using sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide. It does not consume other organisms, dead or alive.
Option B: A dog is a heterotroph with a holozoic mode of nutrition. It ingests and internally digests other organisms for energy. It does not feed on decaying matter as its primary food source.
Option D: Cuscuta (Amarbel) is a parasitic plant. It derives its nutrition from a living host plant, not from dead and decaying matter. This mode of nutrition harms the host.

Visual 1: Diagram - A flowchart illustrating the main modes of nutrition: Autotrophic (photosynthesis, chemosynthesis) and Heterotrophic (holozoic, saprotrophic, parasitic), with examples for each branch.
Visual 2: Image - A photograph of mushrooms growing on a decaying log in a forest, visually demonstrating saprotrophism in action.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Modes of nutrition in organisms, specifically saprotrophic nutrition as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding different modes of nutrition is fundamental to microbiology and infectious disease. Many pathogenic fungi and bacteria are heterotrophs.
Saprotrophic fungi are essential decomposers in ecosystems, but some can become opportunistic pathogens in humans, especially those with weakened immune systems (e.g., Aspergillus fumigatus).
The human gut microbiome contains a vast community of bacteria, including saprophytes, that play a crucial role in digesting food and maintaining health. An imbalance can lead to various diseases.

How to Approach the Question

First, carefully read the question to identify the key requirement: an organism that gets 'nutrition from dead and decaying matter'.
Recall or deduce the scientific term for this mode of feeding, which is 'saprotrophic' or 'saprophytic'.
Analyze each option based on its known mode of nutrition.
Option A (Grass): It's a plant, so it uses photosynthesis (autotroph). Eliminate.
Option B (Dog): It's an animal that eats other organisms (heterotroph, holozoic). Eliminate.
Option C (Mushrooms): It's a fungus known to grow on dead logs and soil (saprotroph). This is a strong candidate.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Modes of nutrition in organisms, specifically saprotrophic nutrition.
Stem keywords: nutrition, dead and decaying matter, organism
Lead-in keywords: An example of

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