auxotrophic

adj.
Requiring one or more specific substances for growth and metabolism that the parental organism was able to synthesize on its own. Used with respect to organisms, such as strains of bacteria, algae, or fungi, that can no longer synthesize certain growth factors because of mutational changes.

[Greek auxein, to increase; see auxin + -TROPHIC.]

auxotrophy aux·ot'ro·phy (ôk-sŏt'rə-fē) n.

(awk-sō-trŏf'ĭk)
adj.

Requiring one or more specific substances for growth and metabolism that the parent organism was able to synthesize on its own. Used with respect to organisms, such as strains of bacteria, algae, or fungi, that can no longer synthesize certain growth factors because of mutational changes.

1. requiring a growth factor not required by the parental or prototype strain; said of microbial mutants.
2. requiring specific organic growth factors in addition to the carbon source present in a minimal medium.