noun
- An organism that obtains energy from sunlight and synthesizes organic compounds from inorganic substances, typically carbon dioxide and water.
Usage: biology; technical
Examples
- Plants are photoautotrophs that convert sunlight into chemical energy through photosynthesis.
- Cyanobacteria are photoautotrophs found in aquatic environments.
- Photoautotrophs form the base of most food chains on Earth.
- Algae are photoautotrophs that produce oxygen as a byproduct of photosynthesis.
- The photoautotroph uses chlorophyll to capture light energy from the sun.
- In ecosystems, photoautotrophs are primary producers that support all other life forms.