1. Relating to or exhibiting the properties of heterotrophy. 2. Relating to a heterotroph.
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het·ero·tro·phic .het-ə-rə-'trō-fik adj requiring complex organic compounds of nitrogen and carbon (as that obtained from plant or animal matter) for metabolic synthesis
het·ero·tro·phi·cal·ly -fi-k(ə-)lē adv
het·ero·tro·phism -'trō-.fiz-əm n
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adj.
describing organisms (known as heterotrophs) that use complex organic compounds to synthesize their own organic materials. Most heterotrophs are chemoheterotrophic, i.e. they use the organic compounds as an energy source. This group includes the majority of bacteria and all animals and fungi. Compare autotrophic.
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het·ero·tro·phic (het″ər-o-troґfik) 1. pertaining to or characterized by heterotrophia. 2. not self-sustaining; see heterotrophia (def. 2). Called also organotrophic. Cf. autotrophic.Medical dictionary. 2011.