heterotrophic

[ het-er-uh-trof-ik, -troh-fik ]

adjective

, Biology.

1. capable of utilizing only organic materials as a source of food.

heterotrophic

/ ˌhɛtərəʊˈtrɒfɪk /

adjective

1. (of organisms, such as animals) obtaining carbon for growth and energy from complex organic compounds Compare autotrophic

Derived Forms

• ˈheteroˌtroph, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of heterotrophic¹

First recorded in 1890–95; hetero- + -trophic

Word History and Origins

Origin of heterotrophic¹

C20: from hetero- + Greek trophikos concerning food, from trophē nourishment

Example Sentences

Should the compound be inorganic, the term autotrophic is applied to the organism and heterotrophic if the compound is organic.

From Project Gutenberg