auxotrophy
|aux-o-tro-phy|
🇺🇸
/ˌɔːksoʊˈtroʊfi/
🇬🇧
/ˌɔːksəˈtrəʊfi/
requires external nutrient
Etymology
'auxotrophy' originates from Greek roots, specifically 'auxo-' and 'trophe', where 'auxo-' meant 'increase, grow' and 'trophe' meant 'nourishment'.
'auxotrophy' developed as a scientific coinage in modern biology from the noun 'auxotroph' (a organism requiring additional nutrients), with the suffix '-y' forming the abstract noun 'auxotrophy'.
Initially used to describe a need for additional nutrition for growth in experimental biology, it came to be used specifically for the genetic/physiological inability to synthesize a required organic compound.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a condition of an organism (often a microbial mutant) that cannot synthesize a particular organic compound required for its growth and thus must obtain it from the environment.
Auxotrophy of the mutant strain prevented its growth on minimal medium without supplementation.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/11/30 09:34