prototrophic

adjective

pro·​to·​tro·​phic ˌprō-tə-ˈtrō-fik How to pronounce prototrophic (audio)
: having the nutritional requirements of the normal or wild type
prototrophy noun

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1900, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of prototrophic was in 1900

Dictionary Entries Near prototrophic

Cite this Entry

“Prototrophic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prototrophic. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.

Medical Definition

prototrophic

adjective
pro·​to·​tro·​phic ˌprōt-ə-ˈtrō-fik How to pronounce prototrophic (audio)
1
: deriving nutriment from inorganic sources
prototrophic bacteria
2
: not requiring specific nutritional substances for normal metabolism and reproduction : not differing from the wild type in nutritional requirements
used especially of bacteria and fungi
a yeast prototrophic for uracil and leucine
compare auxotrophic
prototrophy noun
plural prototrophies
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!