Heterotrophic - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
Heterotrophic describes organisms that cannot produce their own food and rely on consuming other living things for energy, such as animals and fungi. This contrasts with autotrophic organisms like plants.
Definition:
Organisms that obtain energy by consuming organic substances from other sources.
Synonyms:
consumer, non-autotrophic, phagotrophic
Part of Speech:
adjective
Antonyms:
autotrophic, self-sustaining
Common Collocations:
heterotrophic organisms, heterotrophic nutrition, heterotrophic bacteria
Derivatives:
heterotrophy, heterotrophically
Usage Tips:
Use "heterotrophic" to describe organisms like animals and fungi that rely on external food sources for energy.
Common Phrases:
heterotrophic lifestyle, heterotrophic metabolism, heterotrophic growth
Etymology:
From Greek "heteros" (other) + "trophē" (nourishment), meaning feeding on others.
Examples:
- 1. Fungi are heterotrophic and absorb nutrients from their surroundings.
- 2. Most animals are heterotrophic because they cannot produce their own food.
- 3. Heterotrophic bacteria decompose organic matter in the environment.
- 4. Plants are autotrophic, but some protists are heterotrophic.