auxotrophic

adjective

auxo·​tro·​phic ˌȯk-sə-ˈtrō-fik 

: requiring a specific growth substance beyond the minimum required for normal metabolism and reproduction by the parental or wild-type strain

auxotrophic mutants of bacteria

auxotrophy

ȯk-ˈsä-trə-fē 

noun

Examples of auxotrophic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Aqueous faecal extracts were prepared and assayed for auxotrophic growth-enhancement and bacterial mutagenicity (using fluctuation tests with Salmonella typhimurium TA100 and Escherichia coli WP2uvrApKM101). —Ncbi Rofl, Discover Magazine, 8 Oct. 2012

Word History

Etymology

Latin auxilium "assistance, aid" + -o- + -trophic — more at auxiliary entry 1

Note: The terms auxotroph and auxotrophic were introduced in a paper by the American biologist Bernard D. Davis (1916-94) and laboratory technician Elizabeth S. Mingioli (1926-97), "Mutants of Escherichia coli requiring methionine or Vitamin B12," Journal of Bacteriology, vol. 60, no. 1 (July, 1950), p. 17: "The penicillin method … has permitted convenient isolation of auxotrophic1 mutants of Escherichia coli with specific growth requirements … [footnote] ¹The terms "auxotrophic" (Lat. auxilium = "aid"; Gr. troph = "food") and the corresponding noun "auxotroph" are suggested for convenience in denoting biochemical mutants with increased nutritional requirements."

First Known Use

1944, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

auxotrophic

adjective

auxo·​tro·​phic ˌȯk-sə-ˈtrō-fik 

: requiring a specific growth substance beyond the minimum required for normal metabolism and reproduction of the parental or wild-type strain

auxotrophic bacterial mutants

compare prototrophic