A caterpillar has an exoskeleton and feeds on many leaves before it makes a cocoon and becomes a butterfly. Which type of organism is a caterpillar? 1. an autotroph and an invertebrate 2. a heterotroph and an invertebrate 3. an autotroph and a vertebrate 3. a heterotroph and a vertebrate

The correct answer is option 2.

Explanation:

Autotroph is an organism which produces their own food from inorganic material such as water, carbon dioxide or from other chemicals.

For example : Green plants, some algae etc

Heterotroph is an organism which cannot manufacture their own food depends upon autotroph for food. This organism obtain its food from plants or from animal matter.

For example : all animals, fungi etc

Invertebrates : organisms with no backbone; insects, squids etc.

vertebrates : organism with back bone; animals, humans etc

A caterpillar is an exoskeleton (external skeleton) eats leaves of plant and trees before it transforms to cocoon and then butterfly. Cater pillar is an insect with no backbone for which it is considered as invertebrate.

Simply it means that for food caterpillar depends upon plants which is an autotroph.

Hence, cater pillar is a heterotroph and an invertebrate.

Answer;

2. A heterotroph and an invertebrate

Explanation; Heterotrophs are organisms that cannot manufacture their own food and instead obtain food and energy by taking in organic substances, usually plant or animal matter. All animals, protozoans, fungi, and most bacteria are heterotrophs. Since Caterpillar Fungus belongs to the Ascomycota phylum, specifically in the genus Hypocreale, it is a heterotroph. Like all living things, they need food to provide their cells with energy.