An autotroph,(self-feeding) or producer, is an organism that produces complex organic compounds (such as carbohydrates, fats, and proteins) from simple substances present in its surroundings . For example using energy from light (by photosynthesis) or inorganic chemical reactions (chemosynthesis). They are the producers in a food chain, such as plants on land or algae in water. They are able to make their own food . Therefore, they do not use an energy source or a carbon source. Autotrophs can reduce carbon dioxide (add hydrogen to it) to make organic compounds. The reduction of carbon dioxide, a low-energy compound, creates a store of chemical energy. Most autotrophs use water as the reducing agent, but some can use other hydrogen compounds such as hydrogen sulfide. Phototrophs, a type of autotroph, convert physical energy from sun light (in case of green plants) into chemical energy in the form of reduced carbon.
Autotrophs can be phototrophs, lithotrophs, or chemotrophs. Phototrophs use light as an energy source, while lithotrophs make use of inorganic compounds, such as hydrogen sulfide, elemental sulfur, ammonium and ferrous iron, as reducing agents for biosynthesis and chemical energy storage. Chemotrophic species simply utilize electron donors as a source of energy, whether it be from organic or inorganic sources, however in the case of autotrophs, these electron donors come from inorganic chemical sources. Phototrophs and lithotrophs use a portion of the ATP produced during photosynthesis or the oxidation of inorganic compounds to reduce NADP+ to NADPH in order to form organic compounds.
An autotroph,(self-feeding) or producer, is an organism that produces complex organic compounds (such as carbohydrates, fats, and proteins) from simple substances present in its surroundings . For example using energy from light (by photosynthesis) or inorganic chemical reactions (chemosynthesis). They are the producers in a food chain, such as plants on land or algae in water. They are able to make their own food . Therefore, they do not use an energy source or a carbon source. Autotrophs can reduce carbon dioxide (add hydrogen to it) to make organic compounds. The reduction of carbon dioxide, a low-energy compound, creates a store of chemical energy. Most autotrophs use water as the reducing agent, but some can use other hydrogen compounds such as hydrogen sulfide. Phototrophs, a type of autotroph, convert physical energy from sun light (in case of green plants) into chemical energy in the form of reduced carbon.
Autotrophs can be phototrophs, lithotrophs, or chemotrophs. Phototrophs use light as an energy source, while lithotrophs make use of inorganic compounds, such as hydrogen sulfide, elemental sulfur, ammonium and ferrous iron, as reducing agents for biosynthesis and chemical energy storage. Chemotrophic species simply utilize electron donors as a source of energy, whether it be from organic or inorganic sources, however in the case of autotrophs, these electron donors come from inorganic chemical sources. Phototrophs and lithotrophs use a portion of the ATP produced during photosynthesis or the oxidation of inorganic compounds to reduce NADP+ to NADPH in order to form organic compounds.