Autotrophic
Autotrophic
Autotrophic (pronunciation: /ˌɔːtoʊˈtrɒfɪk/) is a term used in biology to describe organisms that can produce their own food from inorganic substances using light or chemical energy. The term is derived from the Greek words "auto" meaning self and "trophe" meaning nourishment.
Etymology
The term "autotrophic" is derived from the Greek words "auto" meaning self and "trophe" meaning nourishment. It was first used in the late 19th century to describe organisms that produce their own food.
Types of Autotrophs
There are two main types of autotrophs: photoautotrophs and chemoautotrophs.
- Photoautotrophs are organisms that use light as their primary energy source. These include plants, algae, and some types of bacteria.
- Chemoautotrophs are organisms that use chemical reactions, particularly oxidation reactions, as their primary energy source. These include certain types of bacteria and archaea.
Related Terms
- Heterotrophic: Organisms that cannot produce their own food and instead rely on consuming other organisms for energy.
- Photosynthesis: The process by which photoautotrophs convert light energy into chemical energy.
- Chemotroph: Organisms that obtain energy by the oxidation of electron donors in their environments.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Autotrophic
- Wikipedia's article - Autotrophic
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