photoautotrophicadj.
/ˌfəʊtəʊˌɔːtə(ʊ)ˈtrɒfɪk/, /ˌfəʊtəʊˌɔːtə(ʊ)ˈtrəʊfɪk/, U.S. /ˈˌfoʊdoʊˌɔdoʊˈtrɑfɪk/, /ˈˌfoʊdoʊˌɔdəˈtrɑfɪk/, /ˈˌfoʊdoʊˌɑdoʊˈtrɑfɪk/, /ˈˌfoʊdoʊˌɑdəˈtrɑfɪk/ Biology.
Of an organism or its nutrition: autotrophic and obtaining energy from light; using light energy for biosynthesis from simple inorganic compounds.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > by nutrition or respiration > [adjective] > photosynthesizing or photosynthesized
photosynthetic1897
photosynthesizing1905
photosynthesized1910
phototrophic1921
photoautotrophic1939
photoheterotrophic1945
photoorganotrophic1951
photolithotrophic1954
photorespiratory1968
photorespiring1969
photorespired1970
1939 Q. Rev. Biol. 14 5/1 It seems likely that photoautotrophic nutrition may prove to be a general characteristic of the chlorophyll-bearing species in this order [sc. Phytomonadida].
1975 Nature 25 Dec. 715/1 Manganese is required for the photoautotrophic growth of O2-evolving organisms.
1989 Nature 30 Nov. 527/1 The calcareous nanofossils, being photoautotrophic, would have inhibited surface waters in association with planktonic foraminifera.
2002 Science (Nexis) 25 Jan. 645 Levels of winter snow cover on maritime Antarctic lakes suggest that increasing winter pigment concentrations are unlikely to result from photoautotrophic activity.
Derivatives
ˌphotoautoˈtrophically adv.
ΚΠ
1966 Q. Rev. Biol. 41 22 Ochromonas danica could grow photoautotrophically in the light if supplied with CO2, vitamins, and inorganic salts.
1996 Science 19 July 365/3 Initial exponential growth, followed by linear growth as self-shading and nutrient depletion set in, is the normal pattern for photoautotrophically grown algae.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2006; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1939