B4.2.5—Mixotrophic nutrition
Mixotrophic nutrition combines autotrophic production with heterotrophic feeding, allowing organisms to use light and organic food sources flexibly in communities.
- Syllabus
- First assessment 2025
- Objective
- B4.2.5
- Level
- SL
Exam analysis
Chance of appearing3%of analysed past papers
Latest appearanceMay 2025
Most common paperPaper1
Typical marks1
Common command terms
- Outline
- Identify
Scoring notes
- Common mistake
- Calling mixotrophs only autotrophs because they photosynthesise.
Recent exam appearances
May 2025Paper1A ["SL"] · TZ325[ 1 ]B4.2.5—Mixotrophic nutrition
May 2025Paper1B ["SL"] · TZ12(d)[ 1 ]B4.2.5—Mixotrophic nutrition
November 2018Paper1 ["SL"] · TZ018[ 1 ]B4.2.5—Mixotrophic nutrition
May 2017Paper1 ["SL"] · TZ117[ 1 ]B4.2.5—Mixotrophic nutrition
Practice this objective
Coverage 2017–2025 · Updated 15 Jul 2026
Concept essentials
- Mixotrophs combine autotrophic and heterotrophic nutrition.
- Euglena can photosynthesise and feed on bacteria.
- Some mixotrophs act as both producers and consumers.
- Mixotrophy can provide nutritional flexibility in changing conditions.