autotroph

[ aw-tuh-trof, -trohf ]

noun

, Biology.

1. 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.

autotroph

/ ô′tə-trŏf′ /

1. 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.
2. Compare heterotroph

Other Words From

• auto·trophic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of autotroph¹

1935–40; back formation from autotrophic; auto- ¹, trophic