noun
autotrophy; autotrophic nutrition
Biology term for organisms that produce their own food from inorganic substances, such as plants and some bacteria. Contrasts with 従属栄養 (heterotrophy).
See also: 従属栄養
植物は独立栄養生物の代表例です。
Plants are a typical example of autotrophic organisms.
Heterotrophy; organisms that must consume other organisms for nutrition, as opposed to producing their own food.
Compound of 独立 (independence) and 栄養 (nutrition), likely a calque from Western scientific terminology.