Dictionary > Photoheterotroph

Photoheterotroph

Definition
noun, plural: photoheterotrophs
An organism that depends on light for most of its energy and principally on organic compounds for its carbon
Supplement
Photoheterotrophs are heterotrophic organisms that make use of light energy as their energy source. They also cannot use carbon dioxide as their sole carbon source. They use organic compounds from the environment. Heterotrophs are the consumers in the food chain, particularly the herbivores, carnivores and omnivores. All animals, some fungi and most bacteria are heterotrophs. They are not capable of producing their own food. Therefore, they obtain their energy requirements by feeding on organic matter or another organism. Photoheterotrophs, in particular, are microorganisms that derive their carbon requirements mainly from organic compounds in their environment. These organisms are purple non-sulfur bacteria, green non-sulfur bacteria, and heliobacteria.
Photoheterotrophs may also be regarded as one of the two main sub-groups of phototrophs (the other, photoautotrophs). Phototrophs are organisms that use light energy for certain metabolic functions. They absorb photons from light to carry out cellular functions such as biosynthesis and respiration. Photoheterotrophs, in this regard, are organisms that depend solely on light energy as they generate ATP through photophosphorylation. These organisms do not rely on carbon dioxide as their sole carbon source. They may use organic compounds such as carbohydrates, fatty acids, and alcohols they obtain from the environment for their carbon requirements.
Word origin: Greek heteros (different) + trophe (nourishment)
Synonym(s):

  • heterotrophic phototroph

See also:

  • photoautotroph
  • phototroph
  • heterotroph
  • Related form(s):

    • photoheterotrophic (adjective)


    You will also like...

    An artistic depiction of a human embryo
    Growth and Development of a Human Baby

    Upon fertilization, a zygote forms and develops into an embryo. This tutorial elaborates on the growth and development f..

    Freshwater aquatic plankton
    Freshwater Communities & Plankton

    Planktons are microscopic organisms that live suspended in aquatic habitats. There are two groups: the phytoplanktons an..

    Growth Patterns
    Growth Patterns

    This tutorial describes the sigmoid curve, annual plant growth, tree growth, human growth, and insect growth as the grow..

    An artistic depiction of Dunkleosteus fish
    Fish

    The sea was teeming with life. Eventually, through reproduction and continued variation, fish came about. There are over..

    Regulation of Biological Systems
    Regulation of Biological Systems

    Regulation of Biological Systems tutorials are focused on the modulation of biological systems from cell to population l..

    Direct and indirect physiologic effects of growth hormone
    Animal Growth Hormones

    Hormones are produced in the endocrine glands of animals. The pituitary gland and hypothalamus are the most impor..

    Related Articles...

    No related articles found

    See all Related Topics