Heterotrophs are organisms that cannot produce their own food and rely on consuming other living things for energy. They obtain nutrients by eating plants, animals, or decomposing organic matter. Examples of heterotrophs include humans, animals, and fungi. These organisms play a crucial role in ecosystems by helping to break down organic material and recycle nutrients. Heterotrophs are essential for maintaining the balance of food webs, as they serve as consumers that connect producers, like plants, to higher trophic levels, such as predators.