heterotroph

[ het-er-uh-trof, -trohf ]

noun

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

heterotroph

/ hĕt′ər-ə-trŏf′ /

1. 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.
2. Compare autotroph

Word History and Origins

Origin of heterotroph¹

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