The Open Door Web Site

 

 PHOTOSYNTHESIS

CLASSIFYING ORGANISMS ACCORDING TO THEIR CARBON SOURCE AND ENERGY SUPPLIES

 

Type of Organism

Carbon Source

Energy Source

Electron Donors

Examples

Photolithotrophs

CO2

Light

Inorganic compounds

(H2O, H2S, S)

 Green plants, photosynthetic protoctists, blue-greens, photosynthetic bacteria

Photoorganotrophs

Organic compounds

Light

Organic compounds

 Non-sulphur purple bacteria

Chemolithotrophs

CO2

Redox reactions

Inorganic compounds

(H2, S, H2S, Fe2+, NH3)

 Hydrogen, sulphur, iron and denitrifying bacteria

Chemoorganotrophs

Organic compounds

Redox reactions

Organic compounds

(e.g. Glucose)

 Animals, fungi, non-photosynthetic protoctists, saprophytic and parasitic bacteria

© Paul Billiet 2008