autotrophic nutrition

A Dictionary of Biology | 2004 | 525 words | Copyright

autotrophic nutrition A type of nutrition in which organisms synthesize the organic materials they require from inorganic sources. Chief sources of carbon and nitrogen are carbon dioxide and nitrates, respectively. All green plants are autotrophic and use light as a source of energy for the synthesis, i.e. they are photoautotrophic (see photosynthesis). Some bacteria are also photoautotrophic; others are chemoautotrophic, using energy derived from chemical processes (see chemosynthesis). Compare heterotrophic nutrition.

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

MLA
Chicago
APA

"autotrophic nutrition." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 29 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"autotrophic nutrition." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 29, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O6-autotrophicnutrition.html

"autotrophic nutrition." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Retrieved May 29, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O6-autotrophicnutrition.html

Learn more about citation styles