Autotroph
Autotroph (pronounced: /ˈɔːtəʊtrəʊf/)
An autotroph or producer is an organism that produces complex organic compounds (such as carbohydrates, fats, and proteins) from simple substances present in its surroundings, generally using energy from light (photosynthesis) or inorganic chemical reactions (chemosynthesis). They are the producers in a food chain, such as plants on land or algae in water.
Etymology
The term "autotroph" was first coined in 1897 by the German botanist Albert Bernhard Frank. It comes from the Greek words "auto" meaning "self" and "troph" meaning "nourishment".
Types of Autotrophs
Autotrophs are divided into two categories:
1. Photoautotrophs: These organisms use light as their energy source. Examples include most plants, algae, and cyanobacteria.
2. Chemoautotrophs: These organisms use inorganic compounds as their energy source. Examples include certain types of bacteria and archaea.
Related Terms
- Heterotroph: An organism that cannot produce its own food and instead takes nutrition from other sources of organic carbon, mainly plant or animal matter.
- Mixotroph: An organism that can use a mix of different sources of energy and carbon, instead of having a single trophic mode.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Autotroph
- Wikipedia's article - Autotroph
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