Phenomena and Processes

Phototrophic Processes

Processes by which phototrophic organisms use sunlight as their primary energy source. Contrasts with chemotrophic processes which do not depend on light and function in deriving energy from exogenous chemical sources. Photoautotrophy (or photolithotrophy) is the ability to use sunlight as energy to fix inorganic nutrients to be used for other organic requirements. Photoautotrophs include all GREEN PLANTS; GREEN ALGAE; CYANOBACTERIA; and green and PURPLE SULFUR BACTERIA. Photoheterotrophs or photoorganotrophs require a supply of organic nutrients for their organic requirements but use sunlight as their primary energy source; examples include certain PURPLE NONSULFUR BACTERIA. Depending on environmental conditions some organisms can switch between different nutritional modes (AUTOTROPHY; HETEROTROPHY; chemotrophy; or phototrophy) to utilize different sources to meet their nutrients and energy requirements.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

Processes by which phototrophic organisms use sunlight as their primary energy source. Contrasts with chemotrophic processes which do not depend on light and function in deriving energy from exogenous chemical sources. Photoautotrophy (or photolithotrophy) is the ability to use sunlight as energy to fix inorganic nutrients to be used for other organic requirements. Photoautotrophs include all GREEN PLANTS; GREEN ALGAE; CYANOBACTERIA; and green and PURPLE SULFUR BACTERIA. Photoheterotrophs or photoorganotrophs require a supply of organic nutrients for their organic requirements but use sunlight as their primary energy source; examples include certain PURPLE NONSULFUR BACTERIA. Depending on environmental conditions some organisms can switch between different nutritional modes (AUTOTROPHY; HETEROTROPHY; chemotrophy; or phototrophy) to utilize different sources to meet their nutrients and energy requirements.

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Synonyms

6 entry terms
  • Phototrophic Process
  • Process, Phototrophic
  • Processes, Phototrophic
  • Phototrophic Growth
  • Phototrophy
  • Growth, Phototrophic

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

5 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings drug effects, genetics, immunology, physiology, radiation effects.

MeSH Record

Indexing Annotation

distinguish from PHOTOTROPISM

MeSH Record

History Note

2007

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Numbers

  1. G02.111.669
  2. G03w.800

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Phototrophic Processes. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D052817. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D052817
  2. Phototrophic Processes. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q71130778