auxotroph
|aux-o-troph|
🇺🇸
/ˈɔːksoʊtrɑːf/
🇬🇧
/ˈɔːksətrɒf/
requires extra nutrients
Etymology
'auxotroph' originates from Modern New Latin and Greek-derived scientific formation, combining the prefix 'auxo-' from Greek 'auxein' meaning 'to increase, grow' and 'troph' from Greek 'trophē' meaning 'nourishment'.
'auxotroph' was formed in modern scientific New Latin from Greek elements (e.g. 'auxo-' + 'troph-') and entered English in the 20th century as a technical term in microbiology and genetics.
Initially coined to denote organisms requiring added nutrients for growth, the term has retained that technical meaning in microbiology and genetics.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a microorganism (or cell) that cannot synthesize a particular organic compound required for its growth and therefore must obtain it from its environment.
The histidine auxotroph failed to grow on minimal medium until histidine was supplied.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/11/30 09:20