heterotrophic

adjective

het·​ero·​tro·​phic ˌhe-tə-rə-ˈtrō-fik 

: requiring complex organic compounds of nitrogen and carbon (such as that obtained from plant or animal matter) for metabolic synthesis compare autotrophic

heterotrophically

ˌhe-tə-rə-ˈtrō-fi-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

heterotrophy

ˌhe-tə-ˈrä-trə-fē  ˈhe-tə-rə-ˌtrō- 

noun

Examples of heterotrophic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

How to Tell When Your Water Bottle Is Dirty Acceptable levels of heterotrophic organisms, also known as heterotrophic plate counts (HPC), vary by country. —Kayla Blanton, Outside Online, 17 Nov. 2024

Humans, cats, dogs, and all other animals contain mitochondria that produces energy from our heterotrophic (food-consuming) metabolism. —Darren Orf, Popular Mechanics, 16 Aug. 2023

The posterior body of female Osedax penetrates into the bone forming extensions known as 'roots', which host heterotrophic symbiotic bacteria in bacteriocytes beneath the epidermis. —Seriously Science, Discover Magazine, 13 Mar. 2017

Word History

First Known Use

1893, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

heterotrophic

adjective

het·​ero·​tro·​phic ˌhet-ə-rə-ˈtrō-fik 

: requiring complex organic compounds of nitrogen and carbon (as that obtained from plant or animal matter) for metabolic synthesis

heterotrophically

-fi-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

heterotrophism

-ˈtrō-ˌfiz-əm 

noun

heterotrophy

ˌhet-ə-ˈrä-trə-fē 

noun

plural heterotrophies