Photoheterotroph

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Flowchart to determine if a species is autotroph, heterotroph, or a subtype

Photoheterotrophs (or photoorganotrophs) are heterotroph organisms which use light for energy, but cannot use carbon dioxide as their sole carbon source. Consequently, they use organic compounds from the environment to satisfy their carbon requirements. Examples are purple non-sulfur bacteria, green non-sulfur bacteria and heliobacteria.