Organotrophic

Organotrophic - see Heterotrophic

Heterotrophic organisms play an important role in biological systems because they obtain the energy needed for life by using organic compounds. Organotrophic is a term used in biology to describe such heterotrophic organisms.

Organotrophic organisms differ from autotrophic organisms, which are capable of synthesizing organic compounds from inorganic substances such as carbon dioxide or mineral salts. Instead, organotrophic organisms obtain the necessary organic compounds from the environment, for example by ingesting organic food or parasitizing other organisms.

Organotrophic organisms can be found in a variety of ecosystems, including soil, aquatic environments, and even within other organisms as symbionts or parasites. They can be microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi, as well as multicellular organisms including animals and some plants.

For organotrophic organisms, the process of obtaining energy is associated with the decomposition of organic compounds such as carbohydrates, fats and proteins, followed by the release of energy, which is used to maintain life processes. This process usually occurs with the participation of specific enzymes that catalyze chemical reactions of the decomposition of organic compounds.

Organotrophic organisms are important for biological diversity and ecosystem functioning. They are consumers, decomposers and participants in food chains, acting as recyclers of organic material and helping to return nutrients to the environment. Thanks to these processes, organotrophic organisms maintain biological balance in ecosystems.

In conclusion, organotrophic organisms are an important group of heterotrophic organisms that obtain the energy needed for life by decomposing organic compounds from the environment. Their role in biological systems is invaluable, as they participate in the cycle of nutrients and maintain biological balance in ecosystems.

Organotrophism is the ability of some bacteria to use organic substances dissolved in water as a carbon source. This term is not used in plants, fungi and animals. Combines the characteristics of both autotrophs and heterotrophs. Phytoplankton are a typical example of organotrophic organisms.

Microorganisms that use bioorganic substances as carbon sources are called organotrophs. They are heterotrophs, in contrast to photoautotrophs - capable of releasing oxygen into the atmosphere. Some of them may have nutritional needs - feeding exclusively on organic compounds or even complex protein and hydrocarbon substances. In nature and in living cells, they are in associative relationships with other microorganisms. These include lactic acid, yeast and butyric acid bacteria, as well as milkweed.

The role of organotrophs in nature