autotropic Definition
able to synthesize organic substances from simple inorganic substances, such as carbon dioxide and water, without the requirement of sunlight or other forms of energy.
Using autotropic: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "autotropic" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
Autotropic bacteria are able to produce their own food through chemosynthesis.
Example
Plants are autotropic organisms that use photosynthesis to produce their own food.
Example
Some deep-sea creatures are autotropic and can survive without sunlight.
Summary: autotropic in Brief
The term 'autotropic' [aw-toh-trop-ik] describes an organism's ability to synthesize organic substances from simple inorganic substances, such as carbon dioxide and water, without the requirement of sunlight or other forms of energy. Autotropic organisms include bacteria and plants, which use chemosynthesis and photosynthesis, respectively, to produce their own food. Some deep-sea creatures are also autotropic and can survive without sunlight.