Glossary
Autotrophy
How green plants and many microorganisms that only require inorganic substances to grow feed themselves.
How green plants and many microorganisms that only require inorganic substances to grow (e.g. minerals, carbon dioxide, ammonium) feed themselves. Autotrophic organisms take in energy either by photosynthesis or the oxidation of inorganic substrates. These organisms can convert the inorganic substances they consume into organic ones (e.g. glucose), allowing them to produce the substances essential for their survival themselves.