Question

Define autotrophic nutrition.

Answer 1

Autotrophic nutrition means that simple inorganic substances are taken in and used to synthesise organic molecules. Energy is needed to achieve this. There are two types of autotrophs: photoautotrophs and chemoautotrophs. Photoautotrophs get their energy from sunlight and convert it into usable energy (sugar). This process is called photosynthesis. During the process of photosynthesis, not only is sunlight turned into energy, but carbon dioxide is taken from the air and oxygen is released in its place. Chemoautotrophs use inorganic energy sources such as hydrogen sulfide, elemental sulfur, ferrous iron, molecular hydrogen, and ammonia.