Prototroph

prototroph [′prōd·ə‚träf]

(microbiology)

A microorganism that has the ability to synthesize all of its amino acids, nucleic acids, vitamins, and other cellular constituents from inorganic nutrients.

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Prototroph 

a prototrophic microorganism that, unlike an auxotroph, does not require vitamins, amino acids, or other growth factors to develop but synthesizes them from mineral or organic compounds. The same microorganism may be prototrophic for one growth factor and auxotrophic for another. The term “prototroph” was proposed by the German scientist A. Fisher. It was initially used as a synonym for autotrophic organisms to characterize bacteria not requiring organic matter and growing on mineral media.

REFERENCES

Fisher, A. Leklsii o bakteriiakh. Moscow, 1901. (Translated from German.)
Rose, A. Khimicheskaia mikrobiologiia. Moscow, 1971. (Translated from English.)
Zavarzin. G. A. Litotrofnye mikroorganizmy. Moscow, 1972.