Heterotroph

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An organism which is unable to synthesize and fix its own organic carbon-based compounds.[1] They obtain their energy from chemical fuels, and therefore depend heavily on autotrophs. [2] They can be separated into sub-sections according to how they obtain their energy; if the organism uses Chemical energy then it is called a chemoheterotroph, contrasted to an organism using light energy which is named a photoheterotroph.

References

  1. Hogg, Stuart (2013). Essential Microbiology (2nd ed.). Wiley-Blackwell. Page 86
  2. Berg J., Tymoczko J and Stryer L. Biochemistry, 7th edition, New York: WH Freeman. Page 610