MeSH Browser

MeSH Heading: Phototrophic Processes
Tree Number(s): G02.111.669; G03.800
Unique ID: D052817
RDF Unique Identifier: http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/D052817
Annotation: distinguish from PHOTOTROPISM
Scope Note: Processes by which phototrophic organisms use sunlight as their primary energy source. Contrasts with chemotrophic processes which do not depend on light and function in deriving energy from exogenous chemical sources. Photoautotrophy (or photolithotrophy) is the ability to use sunlight as energy to fix inorganic nutrients to be used for other organic requirements. Photoautotrophs include all GREEN PLANTS; GREEN ALGAE; CYANOBACTERIA; and green and PURPLE SULFUR BACTERIA. Photoheterotrophs or photoorganotrophs require a supply of organic nutrients for their organic requirements but use sunlight as their primary energy source; examples include certain PURPLE NONSULFUR BACTERIA. Depending on environmental conditions some organisms can switch between different nutritional modes (AUTOTROPHY; HETEROTROPHY; chemotrophy; or phototrophy) to utilize different sources to meet their nutrients and energy requirements.
Entry Term(s): Phototrophic Growth; Phototrophic Process; Phototrophy
See Also: Autotrophic Processes; Chemoautotrophic Growth; Heterotrophic Processes; Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
Public MeSH Note: 2007
History Note: 2007
Date Established: 2007/01/01
Date of Entry: 2006/07/05
Revision Date: 2016/06/23

Allowable Qualifiers: drug effects (DE)

genetics (GE)

immunology (IM)

physiology (PH)

radiation effects (RE)

Concept UI: M0489559
Scope Note: Processes by which phototrophic organisms use sunlight as their primary energy source. Contrasts with chemotrophic processes which do not depend on light and function in deriving energy from exogenous chemical sources. Photoautotrophy (or photolithotrophy) is the ability to use sunlight as energy to fix inorganic nutrients to be used for other organic requirements. Photoautotrophs include all GREEN PLANTS; GREEN ALGAE; CYANOBACTERIA; and green and PURPLE SULFUR BACTERIA. Photoheterotrophs or photoorganotrophs require a supply of organic nutrients for their organic requirements but use sunlight as their primary energy source; examples include certain PURPLE NONSULFUR BACTERIA. Depending on environmental conditions some organisms can switch between different nutritional modes (AUTOTROPHY; HETEROTROPHY; chemotrophy; or phototrophy) to utilize different sources to meet their nutrients and energy requirements.
Terms: Phototrophic Processes Preferred Term
Term UI T652595
Date09/21/2005
LexicalTag NON
ThesaurusID NLM (2007); Phototrophic Process
Term UI T652596
Date09/21/2005
LexicalTag NON
ThesaurusID NLM (2007)

Phototrophic Processes MeSH Descriptor Data 2025