Science term of the day: Autotroph
Pronunciation: AW’-tuh-trohf
Definition: Autotrophs are living organisms capable of sustaining themselves using inorganic sources such as light, as seen in plants, or methane, utilized by certain microorganisms. These self-sufficient life-forms were among the earliest single-celled organisms on Earth, surviving near deep-sea vents through chemical energy or later capturing solar energy through photosynthesis. Heterotrophs, including humans, animals, and fungi, evolved subsequently and rely on consuming other organisms for nourishment.
Example usage: Stromatolites, layered microbial structures formed by cyanobacteria, are autotrophs that flourished in the shallow seas of the ancient Earth.
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