1. Plural of autophyte; organisms, especially plants, that produce their own food through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis without depending on organic matter from other organisms.
Usage: technical; biology; also called autotrophs

Examples

• Autophytes such as green plants form the base of most food chains.
• In photosynthesis, autophytes convert sunlight into chemical energy.
• Algae are aquatic autophytes that produce oxygen for marine ecosystems.
• Unlike animals, autophytes do not need to consume other organisms for energy.
• Cyanobacteria are prokaryotic autophytes capable of nitrogen fixation.