Lithotrophic photoautotroph vs organotrophic chemoheterotrop

Thread starter Katie123
Start date Mar 1, 2019
Tags

microbiology

In summary, a lithotrophic photoautotroph obtains energy from inorganic compounds and uses light as a source of carbon, while an organotrophic chemoheterotroph obtains energy from organic compounds and uses organic molecules as a source of carbon. Lithotrophic photoautotrophs obtain energy through chemosynthesis, while organotrophic chemoheterotrophs obtain energy through cellular respiration. These types of organisms include bacteria, algae, plants, animals, fungi, and various types of bacteria. They contribute to the ecosystem by converting inorganic compounds into organic molecules and breaking down organic matter to recycle nutrients. An organism cannot be both a lithotrophic photoautotroph and an organotrophic chemoheterotroph

Mar 1, 2019

Katie123

Explain the difference

No equation

Couldn't figure it out!

Physics news on Phys.org

Mar 2, 2019

Borek

Mentor

Start by listing characteristics of both.

What is the difference between lithotrophic photoautotroph and organotrophic chemoheterotroph?

Lithotrophic photoautotrophs are organisms that use inorganic substances as their source of energy and carbon dioxide as their source of carbon. They use sunlight to convert these substances into energy through photosynthesis. On the other hand, organotrophic chemoheterotrophs use organic substances as their source of energy and carbon. They obtain energy by breaking down complex organic molecules through cellular respiration.

Which type of organism is more common in nature: lithotrophic photoautotroph or organotrophic chemoheterotroph?

Organotrophic chemoheterotrophs are more common in nature. This is because organic substances are more readily available in the environment compared to inorganic substances. Additionally, photosynthesis requires sunlight, which may not always be available in certain environments.

Can a single organism be both lithotrophic photoautotroph and organotrophic chemoheterotroph?

Yes, some organisms have the ability to switch between lithotrophic photoautotrophy and organotrophic chemoheterotrophy depending on the availability of resources. For example, some bacteria can use sunlight as their source of energy when sunlight is available, but switch to using organic substances when sunlight is not available.

What are some examples of lithotrophic photoautotrophs and organotrophic chemoheterotrophs?

Examples of lithotrophic photoautotrophs include plants, algae, and some bacteria. Examples of organotrophic chemoheterotrophs include animals, fungi, and some bacteria.

How do lithotrophic photoautotrophs and organotrophic chemoheterotrophs impact the environment?

Lithotrophic photoautotrophs play a crucial role in the environment by producing oxygen through photosynthesis and serving as the base of the food chain. Organotrophic chemoheterotrophs also play an important role in the environment by decomposing organic matter and recycling nutrients. However, excessive growth of these organisms can lead to imbalances in ecosystems and cause environmental issues such as eutrophication.