Descriptive of organisms which are not able to synthesize cell components from carbon dioxide as sole carbon source. Heterotrophic organisms use preformed oxidizable organic substrates such as glucose as carbon and energy sources.
Source:
PAC, 1992, 64, 143. 'Glossary for chemists of terms used in biotechnology (IUPAC Recommendations 1992)' on page 156 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199264010143)