Which group of organisms does NOT include autotrophs?

The group that does not include autotrophs is consumers. Autotrophs are organisms that can produce their own food through processes such as photosynthesis or chemosynthesis, using light or chemical energy, respectively. Consumers, on the other hand, rely on consuming other organisms—either plants or animals—for their energy and nutrients. This distinguishes them from autotrophs, as they cannot independently produce their own food.

In contrast, plants are well-known autotrophs because they synthesize food using sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide through photosynthesis. Certain bacteria can also be autotrophs, with some performing photosynthesis, while others utilize inorganic compounds to create energy. Fungi, however, are not autotrophic; they absorb nutrients from their surroundings by decomposing organic material, but they are distinct from consumers in how they obtain these nutrients. Therefore, the primary characteristic that defines consumers is their reliance on other organisms for energy and nutrition, confirming why this group does not include autotrophs.