Phototroph
Phototroph
Phototrophs (/ˈfoʊtoʊtroʊf, -trɒf/; from the Greek φῶς, phōs, "light" and τροϕή, trophē, "nourishment") are organisms that carry out photosynthesis to acquire energy. They use the energy from sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into organic material to be utilized in cellular functions such as biosynthesis and respiration.
Etymology
The term "phototroph" was coined from the Greek words φῶς (phōs) meaning "light" and τροϕή (trophē) meaning "nourishment". This term is used to refer to organisms that use light as their primary energy source.
Types of Phototrophs
Phototrophs can be either autotrophs or heterotrophs. Autotrophic phototrophs convert inorganic materials into organic matter through photosynthesis, a process that is often associated with plants. Heterotrophic phototrophs, on the other hand, require organic compounds for growth and carry out photosynthesis for energy.
Autotrophic Phototrophs
Autotrophic phototrophs, also known as photoautotrophs, are organisms that are able to make their own food by converting inorganic substances into organic ones using energy derived from light. This group includes plants, algae, and cyanobacteria.
Heterotrophic Phototrophs
Heterotrophic phototrophs, also known as photoheterotrophs, are organisms that use light for energy, but they need to ingest organic substances as a carbon source. This group includes certain types of bacteria, such as purple non-sulfur bacteria and green non-sulfur bacteria.
Related Terms
- Photosynthesis: The process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to synthesize foods with the aid of chlorophyll pigments.
- Autotroph: An organism that produces complex organic compounds from simple substances present in its surroundings, generally using energy from light or inorganic chemical reactions.
- Heterotroph: An organism that cannot produce its own food, instead taking nutrition from other sources of organic carbon, mainly plant or animal matter.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Phototroph
- Wikipedia's article - Phototroph
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