Photoautotrophs

Definition

Photoautotrophs are organisms that use light energy to synthesize organic compounds from carbon dioxide and water. They play a crucial role in converting solar energy into chemical energy through the process of photosynthesis.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Photoautotrophs include plants, algae, and cyanobacteria.
2. They perform photosynthesis in chloroplasts (in plants and algae) or thylakoid membranes (in cyanobacteria).
3. Chlorophyll is the primary pigment used by photoautotrophs to capture light energy.
4. Photoautotrophs contribute significantly to the oxygen content in Earth's atmosphere.
5. They form the base of most ecological food webs by producing organic matter from inorganic substances.

Review Questions

• What types of organisms are considered photoautotrophs?
• How do photoautotrophs convert solar energy into chemical energy?
• Why are photoautotrophs essential for ecosystems?

Related terms

Photosynthesis: The process by which green plants, algae, and some bacteria convert light energy, carbon dioxide, and water into glucose and oxygen.

Chlorophyll:

A green pigment found in the chloroplasts of plants and algae that captures light for photosynthesis.

Thylakoid Membranes: Membrane-bound compartments inside chloroplasts and cyanobacteria where light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis occur.