Heterotrophs are organisms that cannot produce their own food and instead obtain energy by consuming other living things, such as plants, animals, or organic matter. They rely on organic compounds for their nutritional needs, which classifies them into various categories like herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores. Examples of heterotrophs include animals, fungi, and many bacteria. Unlike autotrophs, which generate their own energy through processes like photosynthesis, heterotrophs play a crucial role in ecosystems by recycling nutrients.