Heteromesotrophic

/ˌhɛtəroʊˌmɛzəˈtroʊfɪk/ adjective

Definition

Describing an organism that obtains nutrients from different sources at intermediate levels of complexity.

Etymology

From Greek 'hetero-' (different), 'meso-' (middle), and 'trophic' (feeding), combining to describe organisms with mixed nutritional strategies.

Kelly Says

Some microbes are nutritional mixologists—they can switch between consuming different types of food sources depending on what's available, making them survival experts.

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