Question

What are the necessary conditions for autotrophic nutrition and what are its by-products?

Answer 1

• The autotrophic organisms are self-feeders that can synthesize organic compounds using Carbon dioxide as a source of Carbon and water as an electron donor.
• Green plants are photoautotrophs that carry out photosynthesis, a process that requires atmospheric Carbon dioxide, water, sunlight, and Chlorophyll.
• The energy of sunlight is trapped by Chlorophyll and is used to fix Carbon dioxide into organic compounds (Glucose) in the presence of water.
• These organic compounds are used by plants for their own growth and maintenance and stored in the form of starch that serves as a source of energy when required.
• Since water molecules serve as an electron donor, Oxygen is produced during the process of Photosynthesis as a by-product and is released into the air.