WAEC Biology 2023 Papers

Concept:Saprophytes are organisms that obtain nutrients from dead and decaying organic matter.Explanation:Saprophytes are also called saprotrophs or decomposers.They feed on dead and decaying tissues of other organisms.They secrete digestive enzymes onto the dead matter and absorb the dissolved nutrients.Common examples include fungi and many bacteria.Autotrophs ($\text{B}$) produce their own food through photosynthesis.Parasites ($\text{C}$) derive food from living hosts.Heterotrophs ($\text{D}$) is a broader category that includes organisms depending on others for food, but it does not specifically mean dead and decaying matter.Thus, the most accurate term for feeding on dead, decaying tissues is saprophytes.Answer:A. Saprophytes