1. able to produce its own food from inorganic substances using light energy (photosynthesis) or chemical energy (chemosynthesis), without consuming other organisms
Usage: biology term; commonly used in ecology and botany

Examples

• Plants are autotrophic organisms that convert sunlight into chemical energy.
• Autotrophic bacteria can synthesize their own nutrients from carbon dioxide.
• Green algae are autotrophic and form the base of many aquatic food chains.
• Unlike animals, autotrophic organisms do not need to consume other living things for energy.
• Cyanobacteria are photosynthetic autotrophic microorganisms found in water.
• The autotrophic nature of plants makes them primary producers in ecosystems.