Phototroph facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Dead tree river
Terrestrial and aquatic phototrophs: Plants grow on a fallen log floating in algae rich water.

Phototrophs (photo = light, troph = nutrition) or photoautotrophs are organisms which carry out photosynthesis.

With their plastids and the help of energy from sunlight, carbon dioxide and water are converted into sugar by photosynthesis. Sugar is then converted into other organic molecules which can be used in cellular functions. Such a function might be, for example, respiration.

Images for kids

  • Troph flowchart

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


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Phototroph Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.