heterotroph

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

noun

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

Origin of heterotroph

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

Words nearby heterotroph

heterotopia, heterotransplant, heterotransplantation, heterotrich, heterotrichosis, heterotroph, heterotrophic, heterotropia, heterotypic, heterotypic cortex, heterotypical chromosome

Medical definitions for heterotroph

heterotroph
[ hĕt′ər-ə-trŏf′, -trōf′ ]

n.

An organism that cannot synthesize its own food and is dependent upon complex organic substances for nutrition.

Other words from heterotroph

het′er•o•troph′ic (-trŏf′ĭk, -trō′fĭk) adj. het′er•ot′ro•phy (-ə-rŏt′rə-fē) n.

Scientific definitions for heterotroph

heterotroph
[ hĕt′ər-ə-trŏf′ ]

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-trŏf′ĭk)