heterotroph

American  

[het-er-uh-trof, -trohf] / ˈhɛt ər əˌtrɒf, -ˌtroʊf /

noun

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

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heterotroph Scientific  

/ hĕt′ər-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.

2. Compare autotroph

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Etymology

Origin of heterotroph

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

Compare meaning

How does heterotroph compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• autotroph vs. heterotroph

Explanation

A heterotroph is an animal that can’t make its own food supply, so they have to eat other things, like plants or other animals, to survive. People are heterotrophs: we eat plants or meat to stay alive. You might say, well, isn't everything a heterotroph? A lot of creatures are, including giraffes, dogs, fish, horses, and lizards, but plants are not — a plant is an autotroph, because it can feed itself through photosynthesis. There are three types of heterotrophs: are herbivores, carnivores and omnivores. The prefix hetero is a clue to this word’s meaning, since it means other.

Example Sentences

Chemoheterotroph, as it must rely on chemical sources of energy living in a lightless environment and a heterotroph if it uses organic compounds for its carbon source.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

Chemoheterotroph, as it must rely on chemical sources of energy living in a lightless environment and a heterotroph if it uses organic compounds other than carbon dioxide for its carbon source.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022