A type of phototroph that grows by oxygenic photosynthesis and whose cells contain a nucleus.  There is an astonishing variety of algae that differ in many ways, but for practical purposes they can be considered microscopic plants and are found nearly in all soils, sediments and waters where there is light.

Photosynthesis that does not produce oxygen gas (see oxygenic photosynthesis).  For more detail, see the Photosynthesis page.

An organism that can use carbon dioxide as the sole carbon source for growth.

An organism that uses energy from chemical reactions to grow on carbon dioxide as the sole carbon source.

The process by which chemical energy is used to convert carbon dioxide into new cellular material. Winogradsky called this chemosynthesis.

See Chemoautotrophy

A type of phototroph that grows by oxygenic photosynthesis.  Unlike algae and diatoms, their cells do not contain a nucleus.  For practical purposes they can be considered microscopic plants and are found nearly in all soils, sediments and waters where there is light.

A type of phototroph that grows by oxygenic photosynthesis.  Like algae, their cells have nuclei, but unlike algae their cell walls are made of silicon dioxide; i.e. glass.  These are the original organisms that live in glass houses and are found in nearly all soils, sediments and waters where there is light

A method of growing specific types of microbes from the environment by providing the right environmental conditions (temperature, light, pH, etc.) and nutrients that select (enrich) for the desired type of microbe.  Winogradsky columns simultaneously enrich for multiple types of phototrophic microbes by generating multiple zones where specific type [..]

A type of phototroph that grows by anoxygenic photosynthesis and whose cells do not contain a nucleus.  Green phototrophic bacteria can come in a range of colors from olive green to rust colored to brown.