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Phototrophic Processes MeSH Descriptor Data 2025


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
Phototrophic Processes Preferred
Phototrophy Related
Phototrophic Growth Related
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