Autotroph

Quick meaning: Autotroph is a noun meaning (ecology) Any organism that can synthesize its food from inorganic substances, using heat or light as a source of energy.

Meaning

(ecology) Any organism that can synthesize its food from inorganic substances, using heat or light as a source of energy.

Example Sentences

It is likely that the long evolutionary trajectory of Mycoplasma went from a reductive autotroph to oxidative heterotroph to a cell-wall–defective degenerate parasite. This evolutionary trajectory assumes the simplicity to complexity route of biogenesis, a point of view that is not universally accepted.

Word Forms

• autotrophs

Synonyms for autotroph

Depending on context, synonyms include producer, autophyte.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include autophyte, facultative, autotrophy, photoautotroph, photolithoautotroph, heterotroph.

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