title: What is an autotroph?
abstract: The concept of autotrophy depends on the growth media for pure cultures supplying a single one carbon source for anabolism. Secondary carbon compounds added to the medium as chelators and/or vitamins confuse the meaning. This note suggests a clarification of definition suitable for contemporary biochemical studies of true autotrophs.
authors.affiliation: Krasnow Institute for Advanced Study MS 2A1, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA. vsriniva@gmu.edu
authors.forename: Vijayasarathy
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Srinivasan
authors.forename: Harold J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Morowitz
authors.forename: Harald
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Huber
mesh_terms: D001105:Archaea / Q000502:physiology*; D052818:Autotrophic Processes / Q000502:physiology*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000378:metabolism; D018407:Bacterial Physiological Phenomena; D002244:Carbon / Q000378:metabolism; D003470:Culture Media / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media; D002244:Carbon