Final answer:
Biotic synthesis is defined as the production of biological molecules by living cells, a process involving anabolic reactions where autotrophs are a key example.
Step-by-step explanation:
Biotic synthesis is the production of biological molecules by living cells. This process refers to the anabolic reactions, or biosynthetic reactions, where organisms synthesize larger molecules from smaller constituents. A classic example of a biotic synthesizer is the autotroph, an organism capable of producing its own food molecules from inorganic substrates, typically involving processes like photosynthesis in plants.
In the context of synthetic biology, biotic synthesis expands to include engineering living cells to create new biological functions and systems, thus offering solutions and advancements in areas such as biotechnology. Biotic synthesis operates on the fundamental principle of life that dictates the transformation and expenditure of energy to create molecules essential for growth, repair, and maintenance.