AUXOTROPH Meaning and
Definition
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An auxotroph refers to a type of organism, typically a microorganism or a plant, that has lost the ability to synthesize a particular nutrient required for its growth and survival. This particular nutrient could be an essential amino acid, a vitamin, or any other vital metabolite that the organism needs but cannot produce on its own. Unlike wild-type organisms, which can produce all necessary nutrients internally, auxotrophs are dependent on external sources of the missing nutrient.
The term "auxotroph" is often used in the field of genetics and molecular biology to study the nutritional requirements and metabolic pathways of different organisms. By identifying and characterizing auxotrophs, scientists can gain insights into the genetic mechanisms responsible for the synthesis of specific nutrients. This knowledge is crucial for understanding the genetic basis of a range of biological processes and for potential applications such as genetic engineering and biotechnology.
Auxotrophs are commonly used in laboratory settings to study growth requirements and to develop selective media for the cultivation and isolation of specific organisms. They are often obtained through mutagenesis, where the organism's genome is altered to disrupt or disable the gene responsible for nutrient synthesis.
In summary, an auxotroph is a type of organism that is unable to synthesize a certain nutrient, making it dependent on external sources of that nutrient for growth and survival.
Common Misspellings for AUXOTROPH
- zuxotroph
- suxotroph
- wuxotroph
- quxotroph
- ayxotroph
- ahxotroph
- ajxotroph
- aixotroph
- a8xotroph
- a7xotroph
- auzotroph
- aucotroph
- audotroph
- ausotroph
- auxitroph
- auxktroph
- auxltroph
- auxptroph
- aux0troph
- aux9troph
Etymology of AUXOTROPH
The word auxotroph is derived from Greek roots. It consists of two parts: auxo, meaning to increase, and trophe, meaning nourishment or nutrition.
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