Structured Summary
Abstract
The processes by which organisms utilize organic substances as their nutrient sources. Contrasts with AUTOTROPHIC PROCESSES which make use of simple inorganic substances as the nutrient supply source. Heterotrophs can be either chemoheterotrophs (or chemoorganotrophs) which also require organic substances such as glucose for their primary metabolic energy requirements, or photoheterotrophs (or photoorganotrophs) which derive their primary energy requirements from light. Depending on environmental conditions some organisms can switch between different nutritional modes (AUTOTROPHY; heterotrophy; chemotrophy; or PHOTOTROPHY) to utilize different sources to meet their nutrients and energy requirements.
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Synonyms
6 entry terms
- Heterotrophic Process
- Process, Heterotrophic
- Processes, Heterotrophic
- Heterotrophic Growth
- Heterotrophy
- Growth, Heterotrophic
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Aspects Covered
5 allowable subheadings
Indexed with the subheadings drug effects, genetics, immunology, physiology, radiation effects.
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History Note
2007
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AMA Style
References
- National Library of Medicine. Heterotrophic Processes. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D052836. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D052836
- Heterotrophic Processes. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q70683702