autotroph vs. heterotroph

Hello out there! I just want to ask you a big question: Which came first, the autotrophs or heterotrophs? We are defending autotropohs, though we don't have enough facts and I think many of the scientists believe its the heterotrophs.I will be thankful if you can send me some facts about auto or hetero, or some arguements. T.y. I will really use it in our class debate. (by the way, i'm in second year high school so, just don't make the theories very hard to understand, again thank you for your feedbacks...)

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Originally posted by inquirer:
Hello out there! I just want to ask you a big question: Which came first, the autotrophs or heterotrophs? We are defending autotropohs, though we don't have enough facts and I think many of the scientists believe its the heterotrophs.I will be thankful if you can send me some facts about auto or hetero, or some arguements. T.y. I will really use it in our class debate. (by the way, i'm in second year high school so, just don't make the theories very hard to understand, again thank you for your feedbacks...)

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I think you are on the right track with the autotrophs. Are you considering that there are two types of autotroph-- chemoautotroph and photoautotroph?------------------
www.hells-handmaiden.com

Well, I think I heard the word photoautotroph, but I can't realy understand chemoautotroph. By the way, pleasse give me evidences and explanations about the topic above. Thanks for the reply.

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Originally posted by inquirer:
Well, I think I heard the word photoautotroph, but I can't realy understand chemoautotroph. By the way, pleasse give me evidences and explanations about the topic above. Thanks for the reply.

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Photoautotrophs use energy from sunlight to convert chemicals into organic components-- ie. photosynthesis.Chemoautotrophs use other forms of energy. Tube worms in deep sea thermal vents are an example.A search on Google will return loads of data on the subject. If you have something more specific to ask perhaps I can help.------------------
www.hells-handmaiden.com

Chemoautotrophs derive free energy from natural reactions (they do not catalyze the reactions). Some bacteria are chemoautotrophs; tube worms are not. Tube worms in deep-sea vents thrive by eating bacteria (?) which uses free H2S from volcanic vents.And yes, autotrophs should have been here first.

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Originally posted by Andya Primanda:
Some bacteria are chemoautotrophs; tube worms are not. Tube worms in deep-sea vents thrive by eating bacteria (?) which uses free H2S from volcanic vents.

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ooops.... I knew that.------------------
www.hells-handmaiden.com