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.

Descriptor ID	D052817
MeSH Number(s)	G02.111.669 G03.800
Concept/Terms	Phototrophic Processes Phototrophic Processes Processes, Phototrophic Phototrophic Process Process, Phototrophic Phototrophy Phototrophy Phototrophic Growth Phototrophic Growth Growth, Phototrophic

Below are MeSH descriptors whose meaning is more general than "Phototrophic Processes".

Below are MeSH descriptors whose meaning is related to "Phototrophic Processes".

Below are MeSH descriptors whose meaning is more specific than "Phototrophic Processes".