noun
- Plural of autotrophy; the ability of an organism to produce its own food from inorganic substances using light or chemical energy, without consuming other organisms.
Usage: biology; technical
Examples
- Plants exhibit autotrophies by converting sunlight into chemical energy through photosynthesis.
- Different autotrophies allow organisms to thrive in diverse environments, from forests to deep-sea vents.
- The study of autotrophies is essential to understanding food chains and ecosystem productivity.
- Cyanobacteria demonstrate autotrophies through their ability to fix nitrogen and produce oxygen.
- Scientists compare the autotrophies of various algae species to develop sustainable biofuels.