Organisms that feed on dead, decaying tissues of other organisms are known as

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks for the term for organisms that feed on dead, decaying tissues of other organisms.

Step 2: Explain the concepts

• Saprophytes (saprotrophs): These organisms get nutrients from dead and decaying organic matter. They secrete enzymes onto the material and absorb the digested food. Examples are mushrooms, bread mould (Rhizopus) and many bacteria.
• Autotrophs: These make their own food, usually by photosynthesis (green plants, algae).
• Parasites: These feed on living host organisms and harm them (tapeworm, Plasmodium, mistletoe).
• Heterotrophs: This is a broad group of organisms that cannot make their own food and depend on other organisms. It includes saprophytes, parasites and animals that eat food. The term is correct in a general sense, but it does not specifically describe feeding on dead, decaying matter.

Step 3: Work through the options

• A. Saprophytes: they feed on dead, decaying matter, so this fits.
• B. Autotrophs: they make their own food, so this is wrong.
• C. Parasites: they feed on living hosts, so this is wrong.
• D. Heterotrophs: this is too general. Parasites and herbivores are also heterotrophs, so it is not the specific answer.

Step 4: Answer The correct option is A. saprophytes.

Exam tip: Remember that "sapro" means rotten or decayed. Saprophyte = Spoiled/rotten food eater. When a question gives both a broad term (heterotroph) and a specific term (saprophyte), choose the one that matches the details in the question.