photoautotroph

American  

[foh-toh-aw-tuh-trof, -trohf] / ˌfoʊ toʊˈɔ təˌtrɒf, -ˌtroʊf /

noun

Biology.

1. any organism that derives its energy for food synthesis from light and is capable of using carbon dioxide as its principal source of carbon.

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photoautotroph Scientific  

/ fō′tō-ô′tə-trŏf′,-trōf′ /

1. See phototroph

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• photoautotrophic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of photoautotroph

First recorded in 1945–50; photo- + autotroph