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Glite Dictionary
autotrophic organism

autotrophic organism

1 7.4
A living thing that makes its own food from sunlight or chemicals, like plants
  • noun
  • /ˌɔːtəˈtrɒfɪk ˈɔːɡənɪzəm/
  • Specialized
translation icon : organismo autotrófico
  • Algae are also considered autotrophic organisms because they synthesize their own nourishment.

Examples

  • A typical autotrophic organism is a plant.

  • Green plants are classic examples of autotrophic organisms.

  • Unlike animals, autotrophic organisms can survive without consuming other living things.

  • Some autotrophic organisms can thrive in extreme environments.

  • Plants are autotrophic organisms that create their food through photosynthesis.

  • An autotrophic organism like a fern can thrive without consuming other living things.

  • Bacteria that utilize chemosynthesis are also classified as autotrophic organisms.

Synonyms

autotroph
vsautotrophic organism
  • Specialized
2 9.3

A living thing that makes its own food from sunlight or chemicals

is the adjective plus noun phrase that names the same organisms in longer form

Antonyms

heterotrophic
  • Specialized
9.9

To need carbon and nitrogen from organic material for food to live

Surface Forms

autotrophic organism singular
autotrophic organisms plural

Morphology

autotrophic + organism

The noun phrase is strictly compositional: 'autotrophic' means 'able to produce its own food' and it modifies 'organism', so the overall meaning 'an organism that produces its own food' follows directly from the constituents. Although somewhat technical, the adjectival + noun structure is transparent and cross-linguistically predictable, so a learner who knows both words will understand the MWE.

Etymology

Autotrophic organism combines auto ('self') and trophic ('feeding'), making a picture of a living thing that feeds itself. These organisms make their own food from sunlight or simple chemicals, so the phrase means 'an organism that can produce its own food'.