page_title: Chemotroph
section_title: Flowchart
hierarchical_section_title: Chemotroph / Flowchart
caption_attribution_description: English: Flowchart to determine if a species is autotroph, heterotroph, or a subtype
context_page_description: Chemotrophs are organisms that obtain energy by the oxidation of electron donors in their environments. These molecules can be organic or inorganic. The chemotroph designation is in contrast to phototrophs, which use solar energy. Chemotrophs can be either autotrophic or heterotrophic. Chemotrophs are found in ocean floors where sunlight cannot reach them because of the great depth and all the levels of water inbetween them and the sun. They evolved to not be dependent on solar energy. Ocean floors often contain underwater volcanos that can provide heat as a substitute for sunlight's warmth.
context_section_description: Autotroph
  Chemoautotroph
  Photoautotroph
  Heterotroph
  Chemoheterotroph
  Photoheterotroph
caption: Flowchart to determine if a species is autotroph, heterotroph, or a subtype
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