An organism that uses inorganic carbon dioxide to make organic carbon compounds. The prefix auto- ("self") refers to the organism being its own source of carbon. Examples include plants an cyanobacteria.

Autotroph

An organism that relies on complex organic carbon compounds for nutrients. The prefix hetero- ("other") refers to the organism relying on other organisms for carbon. Examples include humans and prokaryotes like E. coli.

Heterotroph

Organisms can be classified by the carbon sources they use for metabolism. Some such examples include:

- Autotrophs
- Heterotrophs

University of Notre Dame

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Metabolism

- Organism Classification by Carbon Source

Types of Biological Classification Systems

OpenStax Concepts of Biology provides the necessary breadth and depth for core Biology concepts.

Link: https://openstax.org/details/books/concepts-biology/

OpenStax Biology 2nd Edition

https://openstax.org/details/books/microbiology/

Microbiology covers the scope and sequence requirements for a single-semester microbiology course for non-majors. The book presents the core concepts of microbiology with a focus on applications for careers in allied health. The pedagogical features of the text make the material interesting and accessible while maintaining the career-application focus and scientific rigor inherent in the subject matter. Microbiology’s art program enhances students’ understanding of concepts through clear and effective illustrations, diagrams, and photographs.

Microbiology is produced through a collaborative publishing agreement between OpenStax and the American Society for Microbiology Press. The book aligns with the curriculum guidelines of the American Society for Microbiology.

OpenStax Microbiology Textbook

A classification framework designed to organize vast amounts of knowledge using fundamental concepts, with a focus on developing categories for business activities, though applicable to various other types of activities.

Classification Framework of Supermind Ontology

The Periodic Table of the Elements, designed by Mendeleev in 1869, is a widely known and successful classification system. Mendeleev's table predicted the existence and properties of undiscovered elements and ruled out the existence of others.

Periodic Table of the Elements

The International Classification of Diseases (ICD), published by the World Health Organization (WHO), is a major classification system for diseases that is recognized globally. Originating in Europe after World War II, the ICD has undergone multiple revisions, similar to the DSM. While it is used for clinical diagnosis and shares similarities with the DSM in its categories and criteria for psychological disorders, it also serves broader public health functions. These include monitoring the overall health of populations and tracking the international prevalence of various diseases and health issues.

International Classification of Diseases (ICD)

The system biologists use to classify living organisms, inspired by the hierarchical classification first proposed by Linnaeus in 1758. It provides a standard nomenclature for describing species, organizes information about different species, and serves as a basis for generalization in comparative studies.

Biological Classification System

Important catalysts for metabolic reactions in cells; Enzymes speed up reaction times by lowering a reaction's activation energy.

Enzymes

Organisms power cellular functions via the transfer of electrons between molecules, allowing for the incremental release and use of stored energy. 

Electron Transfer in Metabolism

The stepwise, interconnected chemical reactions that underlie cellular processes

Metabolic pathways

Organisms can be classified by the energy sources they use. Some such examples include:

- Phototrophs
- Chemotrophs

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