photoautotroph

[ foh-toh-aw-tuh-trof, -trohf ]

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.

photoautotroph

/ fō′tō-ô′tə-trŏf′,-trōf′ /

1. See phototroph

Other Words From

• photo·auto·trophic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of photoautotroph¹

First recorded in 1945–50; photo- + autotroph