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Heterotrophic Processes MeSH Descriptor Data 2025


MeSH Heading
Heterotrophic Processes
Tree Number(s)
G02.111.375
G03.393
Unique ID
D052836
RDF Unique Identifier
http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/D052836
Scope Note
The processes by which organisms utilize organic substances as their nutrient sources. Contrasts with AUTOTROPHIC PROCESSES which make use of simple inorganic substances as the nutrient supply source. Heterotrophs can be either chemoheterotrophs (or chemoorganotrophs) which also require organic substances such as glucose for their primary metabolic energy requirements, or photoheterotrophs (or photoorganotrophs) which derive their primary energy requirements from light. Depending on environmental conditions some organisms can switch between different nutritional modes (AUTOTROPHY; heterotrophy; chemotrophy; or PHOTOTROPHY) to utilize different sources to meet their nutrients and energy requirements.
Entry Term(s)
Heterotrophic Growth
Heterotrophic Process
Heterotrophy
See Also
Autotrophic Processes
Chemoautotrophic Growth
Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
Phototrophic Processes
Public MeSH Note
2007
History Note
2007
Date Established
2007/01/01
Date of Entry
2006/07/05
Revision Date
2016/06/30
Heterotrophic Processes Preferred
Heterotrophy Related
Heterotrophic Growth Related
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