autotrophic

adjective

au·​to·​tro·​phic ˌȯ-tə-ˈtrō-fik 

1

: requiring only carbon dioxide or carbonates as a source of carbon and a simple inorganic nitrogen compound for metabolic synthesis of organic molecules (such as glucose)

autotrophic plants

compare heterotrophic

2

: not requiring a specified exogenous factor for normal metabolism

autotrophically

ˌȯ-tə-ˈtrō-fi-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

autotrophy

ȯ-ˈtä-trə-fē 

noun

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

Hessen points to a few findings that support the idea of autotrophic, phosphorous-limited organisms re-allocating their resources to RNA in order to bolster growth. —Jeffrey Marlow, Discover Magazine, 4 Jan. 2017

Word History

Etymology

probably from German autotroph, from Greek autotrophos supplying one's own food, from aut- + trephein to nourish

First Known Use

1893, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

autotrophic

adjective

au·​to·​tro·​phic ˌȯt-ə-ˈtrō-fik 

1

: needing only carbon dioxide or carbonates as a source of carbon and a simple inorganic nitrogen compound for metabolic synthesis

2

: not requiring a specified exogenous factor for normal metabolism

autotrophically

-fi-k(ə-)lē 

adverb