A farmer knows that plants need essential substances for growth and maintenance. Some organisms produce their own food, while others must eat other organisms for energy.
What are these essential substances called?

A sunflower uses sunlight to produce its own food through photosynthesis.
What type of organism is it?

A mushroom cannot make its own food and gets energy by breaking down dead organisms.
What type of organism is it?

A plant grows well because it receives large amounts of essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
What type of nutrients are these?

A plant receives tiny amounts of essential nutrients like iron and zinc, which are still crucial for its survival.
What type of nutrients are these?