autotroph
[ aw-tuh-trof, -trohf ]
/ ˈɔ təˌtrɒf, -ˌtroʊf /
noun Biology.
any organism capable of self-nourishment by using inorganic materials as a source of nutrients and using photosynthesis or chemosynthesis as a source of energy, as most plants and certain bacteria and protists.
Compare
heterotroph.
OTHER WORDS FROM autotroph
au·to·troph·ic, adjectiveWords nearby autotroph
Example sentences from the Web for autotrophic
But the general significance of the term "autotrophic plants" is apparent.
The Chemistry of Plant Life |Roscoe Wilfred Thatcher
British Dictionary definitions for autotrophic
autotrophic
/ (ˌɔːtəˈtrɒfɪk) /
adjective
(of organisms such as green plants) capable of manufacturing complex organic nutritive compounds from simple inorganic sources such as carbon dioxide, water, and nitrates, using energy from the sun
Compare heterotrophic
Derived forms of autotrophic
autotroph (ˈɔːtətrəʊf), nounMedical definitions for autotrophic
autotroph
[ ô′tə-trŏf′, -trōf′ ]
n.
An organism capable of synthesizing its own food from inorganic substances using light or chemical energy. Green plants, algae, and certain bacteria are autotrophs.
Other words from autotroph
au′to•troph′ic (-trŏf′ĭk, -trō′fĭk) adj.Scientific definitions for autotrophic
autotroph
[ ô′tə-trŏf′ ]
An organism that manufactures its own food from inorganic substances, such as carbon dioxide and ammonia. Most autotrophs, such as green plants, certain algae, and photosynthetic bacteria, use light for energy. Some autotrophs, such as chemosynthetic bacteria, obtain their energy from inorganic compounds such as hydrogen sulfide by combining them with oxygen. Compare heterotroph.