The term for organisms that require organic compounds for their nutritional needs is heterotrophs. These organisms cannot synthesize their own food and rely on consuming other organisms, either plants (herbivores) or animals (carnivores), for energy and nutrients. Heterotrophs play a vital role in ecosystems as they are a significant part of food chains and webs, facilitating the flow of energy and recycling of nutrients. Understanding heterotrophs is essential for studying ecological interactions and the dynamics of energy transfer in various environments.