Mixotrophy

Mixotrophy is a nutritional strategy that combines photosynthesis with the uptake or ingestion of organic material. It lets organisms supplement or replace photosynthetic nutrition when conditions make either source insufficient.

Photoheterotrophy: A nutritional mode that uses light for energy while obtaining carbon from organic compounds. It describes mixotrophy when photosynthesis supplies energy but organic matter supplies carbon.
Harmful algal bloom: A rapid proliferation of algae or cyanobacteria that causes ecological, health, or economic harm. Mixotrophic bloom-formers can combine photosynthesis with prey capture.
Photoautotrophy: A nutritional mode that uses light for energy and inorganic carbon as its carbon source. Unlike mixotrophs, photoautotrophs do not require organic carbon nutrition.
Nutrient limitation: A condition in which an essential nutrient constrains an organism's growth or activity. Nutrient scarcity can shift mixotrophs toward ingesting prey.
Phagotrophy: A form of feeding in which cells engulf particles or other cells. Some mixotrophs ingest prey alongside photosynthesis.
Dinoflagellate: A diverse group of mostly unicellular protists, many of which bear two flagella. Many dinoflagellates switch between photosynthesis and feeding.
Chemoheterotrophy: A nutritional mode that obtains energy and carbon from organic compounds. It lacks the light-powered component that distinguishes mixotrophy.
Phytoplankton: Microscopic aquatic organisms that use light to produce organic matter. Mixotrophic phytoplankton complicate estimates of production and grazing.
Osmotrophy: A mode of nutrition based on absorbing dissolved organic substances across a cell surface. Some mixotrophs take up dissolved organic nutrients rather than engulfing prey.
Ochromonas: A genus of golden algae that can photosynthesize and consume bacteria. Its feeding and photosynthesis make it a classic model mixotroph.

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