HETEROTROPHIA Meaning and
Definition
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Heterotrophia is a scientific term derived from the Greek words "hetero" meaning "different" or "other" and "trophe" meaning "nourishment" or "feeding." It is a biological principle that refers to the mode of nutrition in organisms that rely on organic matter obtained from external sources to meet their energy and nutritional requirements. Unlike autotrophic organisms that are capable of producing their own food through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis, heterotrophs are unable to synthesize organic compounds from inorganic substances.
Heterotrophs include a wide range of living organisms, such as animals, fungi, and most bacteria. They obtain nutrition by consuming and breaking down other living or dead organic matter, which serves as a source of nutrients and energy. Heterotrophs exhibit various feeding strategies, including herbivory (feeding on plants), carnivory (feeding on other animals), and detritivory (feeding on decaying organic matter).
Heterotrophy is a fundamental concept in ecology as it represents the interdependency and energy flow within ecosystems. Heterotrophs play significant roles in food chains and contribute to the decomposition and recycling of organic materials. They ensure the availability of nutrients for other organisms and help maintain the balance and stability of ecosystems.
In summary, heterotrophia is the biological process by which organisms obtain their nourishment from external sources, mainly by consuming organic matter. It is a critical characteristic that differentiates heterotrophic organisms from autotrophic ones.
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1. An unusual or abnormal mode of obtaining nourishment. 2. Perverted nutrition.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for HETEROTROPHIA
- geterotrophia
- beterotrophia
- neterotrophia
- jeterotrophia
- ueterotrophia
- yeterotrophia
- hwterotrophia
- hsterotrophia
- hdterotrophia
- hrterotrophia
- h4terotrophia
- h3terotrophia
- hererotrophia
- heferotrophia
- hegerotrophia
- heyerotrophia
- he6erotrophia
- he5erotrophia
- hetwrotrophia
- hetsrotrophia
Etymology of HETEROTROPHIA
The word "heterotrophia" is derived from two Greek roots: "hetero-" and "trophia".
1. "Hetero-" (ἕτερος) means "other" or "different" in Greek.
2. "Trophia" (τροφή) means "nourishment" or "food" in Greek.
Combining these roots, "heterotrophia" essentially means "different nourishment" or "obtaining nourishment from others". The term is commonly used in biology to describe organisms that depend on external sources for their sustenance, as opposed to autotrophic organisms that can produce their own food.
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