What does heterotroph mean?
In biology, a heterotroph is an organism that cannot make its own organic compounds from carbon dioxide and therefore obtains organic carbon from other organisms or organic matter. Animals and fungi are familiar examples, as are many bacteria and archaea that live on organic compounds produced elsewhere. The term describes a nutritional strategy rather than a particular diet or lifestyle. A heterotroph may graze plants, hunt prey, form partnerships, or digest decaying material; it may even use sunlight as an energy source while still obtaining carbon from organic compounds. This distinction matters because “autotroph” names the opposite strategy: making organic compounds from inorganic carbon using energy from light or chemical reactions. Knowing the word helps readers understand the carbon economy of an ecosystem. It also prevents a common oversimplification: plants are not the only organisms capable of using light, and heterotrophy does not necessarily mean eating plants.
nounAn organism that cannot synthesize organic compounds from inorganic carbon and must obtain organic carbon from other organisms or organic matter. Animals and fungi are familiar heterotrophs.
- An organism that cannot produce its own organic compounds from inorganic carbon and therefore depends on other organisms or organic matter for organic carbon.
"Cows are heterotrophs because they obtain organic nutrients by consuming plants."
"Most animals, including humans, are heterotrophs because they obtain organic carbon by consuming plants or other animals."
"Many decomposer fungi are heterotrophs that obtain nutrients from dead organic material."
The standard plural adds -s to the singular noun.
"Heterotrophs occupy nearly every ecosystem."
A heterotroph is a biological borrower of carbon: unlike an autotroph, it gets organic carbon by taking in matter made by other organisms.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does heterotroph come from?
The word is a scientific formation based on Greek heteros, meaning “other,” and trophē, meaning “feeding” or “nourishment.” Modern biology adopted it to name the counterpart of an autotroph, an organism that can synthesize organic compounds from inorganic carbon. The same Greek root appears in related terms such as trophic, trophism, and trophy.
Related word forms
How heterotroph is actually used
A technical biological term used in ecology, microbiology, and nutrition. It identifies a carbon-acquisition strategy rather than a particular diet or habitat and is normally used in formal or scientific contexts.
Easily confused with heterotroph
An autotroph makes organic compounds from carbon dioxide using energy from light or inorganic chemicals, whereas a heterotroph must obtain organic carbon from existing organic matter.
A phototroph uses light as its energy source, while heterotroph describes its carbon source, so an organism can be both.