AUXOTROPHY Meaning and
Definition
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Auxotrophy is a term used in microbiology and genetics to define the inability of an organism to produce a specific nutrient or compound that is necessary for its growth and survival. This condition arises due to a mutation or genetic defect in the organism's genome, affecting the functional genes responsible for synthesizing the required substance. As a result, the auxotrophic organism becomes dependent on obtaining the essential nutrient from its environment, typically relying on external sources.
Auxotrophy is often observed in bacteria and other single-celled organisms, where it can be utilized as a genetic marker or for studying specific metabolic pathways. Certain laboratory techniques and experimental procedures leverage auxotrophic mutants to identify and select cells that possess a desired characteristic or trait.
This phenomenon is of significance in various fields, including medical research, biotechnology, and agriculture. In medical research, auxotrophs can be utilized to study the role of specific nutrients or compounds in disease progression and treatment. In biotechnology, they play a vital role in the production of recombinant proteins and genetic engineering of microorganisms. Additionally, auxotrophic mutants have been employed to enhance the biosynthesis of valuable compounds such as vitamins and antibiotics in agricultural contexts.
Overall, auxotrophy represents a state of nutritional deficiency in an organism, necessitating the provision of a specific nutrient for its survival and growth.
Common Misspellings for AUXOTROPHY
- auxotropy
- auxotrophg
- auxotrophu
- auxotropyh
- auxotrophy
- auxotrophh
- auxotroph
- zuxotrophy
- suxotrophy
- wuxotrophy
- quxotrophy
- ayxotrophy
- ahxotrophy
- ajxotrophy
- aixotrophy
- a8xotrophy
- a7xotrophy
- auzotrophy
- aucotrophy
- ausotrophy
Etymology of AUXOTROPHY
The word "auxotrophy" has its roots in Greek. The term is formed by combining the Greek prefix "auxo-" meaning "to increase" or "to grow", and the Greek word "trophia" meaning "nourishment" or "nutrition". When combined, "auxotrophy" refers to a condition where an organism has a nutritional requirement that cannot be produced internally and must be supplied externally.
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