Which of the following statements best describes a heterotroph?

A heterotroph is best described as an organism that cannot make its own food and must consume other organisms to obtain the nutrients it needs for energy and growth. This includes various types of consumers in the ecosystem, such as animals, fungi, and some bacteria.

By consuming plants, animals, or other organic matter, heterotrophs play a critical role in the food chain, serving as the consumers that link producers (those that can make their own food, like plants) to decomposers. This feeding strategy is essential for the cycling of energy and nutrients in an ecosystem.

The definition provided aligns closely with the characteristics of heterotrophs, emphasizing their reliance on other organisms for sustenance. Other options refer to aspects like making food, dietary preferences, or feeding on dead organisms, which do not encompass the essence of what heterotrophs represent as a whole category of organisms.