Autotroph — Science definition

Defined in 3 courses:

Where it is taught

In use

Capturing that energy is the job of autotrophs — plants, algae, and photosynthetic bacteria that use light to build sugars out of carbon dioxide and water.

Energy Flow in Ecosystems

Autotrophs — green plants, algae, and photosynthetic bacteria — are the only members of the community that can capture that raw solar energy and lock it into the chemical bonds of sugars through photosynthesis.

Ecosystem Structure & Energy Flow

Questions using autotroph

Problem 1

Which of these organisms is an autotroph?
  1. A gray wolf
  2. A mushroom
  3. A human
  4. An oak tree
Answer and explanation

An oak tree

An oak tree makes its own food from sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water, so it is an autotroph (producer). The wolf, mushroom, and human are heterotrophs that must eat other organisms.

Problem 2

Which organism is an autotroph (producer)?
  1. An oak tree
  2. A gray wolf
  3. A mushroom
  4. A red-tailed hawk
Answer and explanation

An oak tree

An oak tree makes its own food by photosynthesis, so it is an autotroph; the others must eat other organisms.

Taught alongside

Elsewhere

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