1. the theory that chance is involved in evolution and that variation within a species is accidental. 2. the belief that chance rather than mere determinism operates in the cosmos. Cf. uniformitarianism. 1. Philosophy. a doctrine that the universe is governed only by rigid, unexceptionable law.
Share this set. an organism that produces its own nutrients from inorganic substances or from the environment instead of consuming other organisms. Autotroph. an organism that produces its own nutrients from inorganic substances or from the environment instead of consuming other organisms.
Autotroph. Definition. noun, plural: autotrophs. A organism capable of making nutritive organic molecules from inorganic sources via photosynthesis (involving light energy) or chemosynthesis (involving chemical energy). Supplement. Autotrophs are the producers in a food chain, such as plants on land or algae in water.Autotrophs may be photoautotrophs or chemoautotrophs. Word origin: from the Greek autos = self and trophe = nutrition. Related forms: atotrophic (adjective). Synonyms: 1  autophyte. organism capable of making nutritive organic molecules from inorganic sources via photosynthesis (involving light energy) or chemosynthesis (involving chemical energy). Supplement. Autotrophs are the producers in a food chain, such as plants on land or algae in water.