Autotrophy is a term that is commonly used in biology and refers to the ability of an organism to produce its own food. Autotrophs are organisms that are capable of synthesizing organic matter from inorganic substances such as carbon dioxide and water. In this article, we will explore the definition and meaning of autotrophy, its origin, and its associations.
Definitions
Autotrophy can be defined as the ability of an organism to produce its own food using energy from the sun or other sources. This process is known as photosynthesis in plants and algae, and chemosynthesis in certain bacteria. Autotrophs are contrasted with heterotrophs, which are organisms that obtain their food by consuming other organisms.
Origin
The term autotrophy comes from the Greek words “autos” meaning self and “trophe” meaning nourishment. The concept of autotrophy was first proposed by the French biologist Antoine Lavoisier in the 18th century, who observed that plants were able to produce organic matter from carbon dioxide and water.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, autotrophy is defined as “the ability of an organism to produce its own food by photosynthesis or chemosynthesis.” Merriam-Webster defines autotrophy as “the ability of an organism to synthesize its own food from inorganic substances.”
Associations
Autotrophy is associated with the process of photosynthesis in plants and algae, as well as chemosynthesis in certain bacteria. Autotrophs are also associated with the production of organic matter, which is essential for the food chain and the survival of other organisms.
Synonyms
Some synonyms of autotrophy include self-nourishment, self-feeding, and self-sustenance.
Antonyms
The antonyms of autotrophy include heterotrophy, which refers to the ability of an organism to obtain its food by consuming other organisms, and saprophytism, which refers to the ability of an organism to obtain its food by decomposing dead organic matter.
The same root words
The same root words as autotrophy include autotroph, which refers to an organism that is capable of producing its own food, and autotrophic, which describes the process of producing organic matter from inorganic substances.
Example Sentences
- Plants are examples of autotrophs, as they are capable of producing their own food through photosynthesis.
- Chemosynthetic bacteria are another example of autotrophs, as they are capable of producing organic matter from inorganic substances.
- Heterotrophs, such as animals, are not capable of producing their own food and must obtain it by consuming other organisms.