Which molecules do heterotrophs primarily require from their environment?

Heterotrophs primarily require oxygen and glucose from their environment because these molecules are essential for their metabolic processes. Heterotrophs, which include animals, fungi, and many bacteria, depend on consuming organic matter for energy and the building blocks necessary for growth and maintenance.

Glucose serves as a fundamental source of energy, which is utilized in cellular respiration to generate ATP, the energy currency of cells. This process requires oxygen for the complete oxidation of glucose, resulting in the production of carbon dioxide and water as byproducts. Therefore, the combination of oxygen and glucose is crucial for the energy metabolism of heterotrophs, enabling them to sustain their life processes.

In contrast, while water and lipids, proteins and vitamins, and carbon dioxide and sunlight have their own importance in various biological systems and processes, they are not the primary requirements for energy metabolism in heterotrophic organisms.