Heterotroph
/ˈhɛtəɹəˌtɹoʊf/ noun
noun ·Rare ·Advanced level
Definitions
Noun
- 1 An organism which requires an external supply of energy and nutrients under the form of food containing organic carbon as it cannot synthesize its own.
"Woody detritus is an important component of forested ecosystems. It can reduce erosion and affects soil development, stores nutrients and water, provides a major source of energy and nutrients, and serves as a seedbed for plants and as a major habitat for decomposers and heterotrophs."
- 2 an organism that depends on complex organic substances for nutrition wordnet
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
More examples"Woody detritus is an important component of forested ecosystems. It can reduce erosion and affects soil development, stores nutrients and water, provides a major source of energy and nutrients, and serves as a seedbed for plants and as a major habitat for decomposers and heterotrophs."
Etymology
From hetero- (“other”) + -troph (“nutrition”).