1. An organism that obtains all its nutrients from inorganic sources through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis, without consuming organic matter from other organisms.
Usage: technical; biology

Examples

• Plants are holophytes because they synthesize their own food from sunlight and minerals.
• A holophyte does not depend on consuming other organisms for survival.
• Cyanobacteria function as holophytes in aquatic ecosystems.
• The holophyte lifestyle allows organisms to thrive in nutrient-poor environments.
• Unlike animals, holophytes can produce their own organic compounds from inorganic materials.