Phototroph

Phototrophs are organisms that carry out photosynthesis to acquire energy. They use sunlight as their primary energy source and are a part of the producers in the food chain. Phototrophs can be either autotrophs or heterotrophs.

Types of Phototrophs

Phototrophs are divided into two main types: oxygenic phototrophs and anoxygenic phototrophs.

Oxygenic Phototrophs

Oxygenic phototrophs, also known as oxygenic photosynthetic organisms, produce oxygen as a byproduct of their photosynthetic processes. This group includes green plants, algae, and cyanobacteria.

Anoxygenic Phototrophs

Anoxygenic phototrophs do not produce oxygen. Instead, they use electron donors other than water for their photosynthetic processes. This group includes purple bacteria, green sulfur bacteria, and heliobacteria.

Role in Ecosystem

Phototrophs play a crucial role in the ecosystem. They convert inorganic material into organic compounds, providing food and energy for other organisms in the food chain. They also contribute to the oxygen content of the Earth's atmosphere.

See Also

• Chemoautotroph
• Photoheterotroph
• Primary nutritional groups

References

Phototroph Resources
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