Describing an organism that cannot synthesize certain organic compounds it needs to survive and must obtain them from its environment.
From Greek 'auxein' (to grow) and 'trophe' (nourishment). The term was coined in the 1930s-40s by microbiologists studying mutant bacteria that lost the ability to make essential amino acids or vitamins.
Auxotrophic bacteria are like picky eaters at the world's buffet—they've 'forgotten' how to make their own food! Scientists use these mutants to track genes and understand evolution because they can only survive in specific laboratory conditions.
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