Photoheterotroph

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

Photoheterotrophs (or photoorganotrophs) are hetrotrophic 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. They use compounds such as carbohydrates, fatty acids and alcohols as their organic "food". Examples are purple non-sulfur bacteria, green non-sulfur bacteria and heliobacteria.

[edit] Sources

University of Wisconsin, Madison Microbiology Online Textbook


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