heterotroph

[ het-er-uh-trof, -trohf ]

noun
  1. Biology. an organism requiring organic compounds for its principal source of food.

Origin of heterotroph

1
First recorded in 1895–1900; hetero- + -troph

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

Scientific definitions for heterotroph

heterotroph

[ hĕtər-ə-trŏf′ ]


  1. An organism that cannot manufacture its own food and instead obtains its food and energy by taking in organic substances, usually plant or animal matter. All animals, protozoans, fungi, and most bacteria are heterotrophs. Compare autotroph.

Other words from heterotroph

  • heterotrophic adjective (hĕt′ər-ə-trŏfĭk)

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