Question: are coccolithophores autotrophic or heterotrophic?
Answer: Coccolithophores can photosynthesize (autotrophic) and may also absorb organic matter (heterotrophic). The microscopic phytoplankton shown here are mainly comprised of diatoms and dinoflagellates. Other phytoplankton in the microscopic ranges include coccolithophorids, silicoflagellates, bacteria, and viruses.