HETEROTROPHY Meaning and
Definition
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Heterotrophy is a term used mainly in biology to describe the mode of nutrition in organisms that are unable to synthesize their own food and instead rely on obtaining nutrients from external sources. This mode of nutrition involves the consumption of organic matter produced by other organisms. Unlike autotrophs, which can produce their own food through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis, heterotrophs rely on the intake of preformed organic molecules to obtain energy and essential nutrients for growth and survival.
Heterotrophy can be found in a wide range of organisms across different trophic levels, including animals, fungi, and some bacteria. Animals, for example, are considered heterotrophs as they consume other plants or animals to obtain the necessary organic matter and nutrients. Similarly, fungi decompose organic matter from dead organisms, acting as heterotrophs in the process.
Heterotrophs typically exhibit various feeding strategies, including predation, parasitism, saprophytism, and even symbiotic relationships. They rely on an array of digestive enzymes and systems to break down complex organic compounds into simpler forms, which can then be absorbed and used for energy production and growth.
Overall, heterotrophy serves as a fundamental concept in understanding the ecological interactions and energy flow within ecosystems, highlighting the dependence of certain organisms on others for their nutritional needs.
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A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for HETEROTROPHY
Etymology of HETEROTROPHY
The word "heterotrophy" comes from the Greek word "heteros" meaning "different" or "other", and the Greek word "trophe" meaning "nourishment" or "feeding". The term was coined based on the concept that heterotrophs obtain their nourishment or energy from different or external sources, as opposed to autotrophs which can produce their own food through processes like photosynthesis.
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