Autotrophic nutrition refers to organisms that can produce their own organic compounds from inorganic sources. There are two main types: photoautotrophs like plants use light as an energy source through photosynthesis, while chemoautotrophs like deep sea bacteria use chemical energy through chemosynthesis to produce food without relying on sunlight. Both photosynthesis and chemosynthesis allow autotrophs to make their own organic compounds from inorganic materials like carbon dioxide and water.

1. Autotrophic nutrition –
Auto (self)
trophic (refers to feeding and nutrition)
“Self feeding.”
-Organisms that make their own organic
compounds from inorganic compounds
ex. Photosynthesis
Chemosynthesis

2. a. Photoautotrophs
Photo (light)
synthesis (creating, making)
-Light is the source of energy for
the production of food.
ex. Plants

3. Autotrophs:

4. b. Chemoautotrophs –
Chemo (chemical)
synthesis (creating, making)
-Chemical activity is the source of energy
for the production of organic compounds.
Who?
-organisms in environments that do not
rely on the sun to make food.
ex. Deep sea organisms
Bacteria

5. Chemosynthetic nutrition - Deep sea tube worms and
arthropod

6. Photosynthesis Chemosynthesis

7. Photosynthesis Chemosynthesis