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Autotrophic Processes MeSH Descriptor Data 2026


MeSH Heading
Autotrophic Processes
Tree Number(s)
G02.111.071
G03.087
Unique ID
D052818
RDF Unique Identifier
http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/D052818
Scope Note
The processes by which organisms use simple inorganic substances such as gaseous or dissolved carbon dioxide and inorganic nitrogen as nutrient sources. Contrasts with heterotrophic processes which make use of organic materials as the nutrient supply source. Autotrophs can be either chemoautotrophs (or chemolithotrophs), largely ARCHAEA and BACTERIA, which also use simple inorganic substances for their metabolic energy reguirements; or photoautotrophs (or photolithotrophs), such as PLANTS and CYANOBACTERIA, which derive their energy from light. Depending on environmental conditions some organisms can switch between different nutritional modes (autotrophy; HETEROTROPHY; chemotrophy; or PHOTOTROPHY) to utilize different sources to meet their nutrient and energy requirements.
Entry Term(s)
Autotrophic Growth
Autotrophy
Lithotrophic Growth
Lithotrophic Processes
Lithotrophy
See Also
Heterotrophic Processes
Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
Phototrophic Processes
Public MeSH Note
2007
History Note
2007
Date Introduced
2007/01/01
Last Updated
2016/06/16
Autotrophic Processes Preferred
Autotrophy Related
Autotrophic Growth Related
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