Difference Between Phototrophs and Chemotrophs

Both the organisms are well known as they have been part of science. Some are capable of making their food, and some are not capable of making their food.

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Acid turns blue litmus paper into which color?

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Which device is used for measuring air pressure?

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Name the metal which is easily cut by a simple knife?

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A bond that occurs between metals and nonmetals is called a/an _______________.

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Which of the following is used in pencils?

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The first link in all food chains is-

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The filament of an electric bulb is made of

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What is the S.I unit of frequency?

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Soda water contains

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An atom is considered to be ____________ when the number of protons and electrons are equal.

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Phototrophs vs Chemotrophs

The difference between Phototrophs and Chemotrophs is Phototrophs consume sunlight as the source of energy to undergo photosynthesis, but Chemotrophs use chemical reactions and undergo chemosynthesis to get energy. Chemotrophs do not use sunlight to undergo chemosynthesis. Chemotrophs use energy from the oxidation of the carbon compounds. Phototrophs consume the sunlight and turn it into chemical energy.

Phototrophs vs Chemotrophs

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Phototrophs are the organism whose source of energy is sunlight. They consume the light of the sunlight as energy and convert it into chemical energy.

Chemotrophs are organisms whose source of energy is the oxidation of carbon dioxide. They undergo chemosynthesis.

Comparison Table

Parameters of ComparisonPhototrophsChemotrophs
Energylight energyOxidizing electron donors energy
ProcessPhotosynthesisChemosynthesis
SunlightYesNo
SourceSunlightChemical compounds
DivisionsPhotoautotrophs and PhotoheterotrophsChemoautotrophs and Chemoheterotrophs
ExampleGreen plantsNitrosomonas

What are Phototrophs?

Phototrophs are organisms that take their energy from the sun. They consume the light from the sun and then turn the energy into chemical energy.

They have two groups in which classification of Phototrophs are done. The Phototrophs are classified into Photoautotrophs and Photoheterotrophs.

They do not use carbon dioxide but other organic compounds through which they can take carbon dioxide for their food.

The two classifications are different with their process in which the consumption of carbon dioxide is different, which means the source is different.

phototrophs

What are Chemotrophs?

The carbon compounds are oxidized then it is consumed by the organism to initiate and complete the metabolic activities in their body.

The inorganic compounds are oxidized and turned into organic compounds. Sulfur oxidizing proteobacteria are some examples of Chemotrophs.

Chemoheterotrophs cannot consume the carbon by oxidizing the inorganic compounds. The inorganic compound is of no use to the Chemoautotrophs.

These organisms consume energy through the oxidation of electron donors. They cannot consume light from the sun for their energy.

chemotrophs

Main Differences Between Phototrophs and Chemotrophs

  1. Phototrophs have two divisions such as Photoautotrophs and Photoheterotrophs but Chemotrophs have two divisions such as Chemoautotrophs and Chemoheterotrophs.
  2. Green plants are phototrophs, but Nitrosomonas are chemotrophs.
Difference Between Phototrophs and Chemotrophs
References
  1. https://aslopubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.4319/lo.1997.42.1.0198
  2. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022519319300542
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