autothallous

Autothallous is a term used in biology to describe organisms that are capable of synthesizing their own food through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis. This term is often used in the context of plants, algae, and certain bacteria. The prefix "auto-" means "self," and the suffix "-thallous" refers to the plant body or thallus. Therefore, autothallous organisms are self-sustaining in terms of their nutritional needs.

Photosynthetic autothallous organisms, such as plants and algae, use light energy to convert carbon dioxide and water into organic compounds, releasing oxygen as a byproduct. Chemosynthetic autothallous organisms, like certain bacteria found in deep-sea vents, use chemical energy from inorganic compounds to produce organic matter.

The term autothallous is distinct from heterotrophic organisms, which obtain their energy and nutrients from consuming other organisms or organic matter. Autothallous organisms play a crucial role in ecosystems by producing oxygen and serving as the primary food source for many heterotrophic organisms.