monotrophic

These forms are termed by Fischer _Metatrophic_, because they require various kinds of organic materials obtained from the dead remains of other organisms or from the surfaces of their bodies, and can utilize and decompose them in various ways (_Polytrophic_) or, if monotrophic, are at least unable to work them up.

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The nitrifying, nitrogen-fixing, sulphur - and iron-bacteria he regards as monotrophic, _i. e._ as able to carry on one particular series of fermentations or decompositions only, and since they require no organic food materials, or at least are able to work up nitrogen or carbon from inorganic sources, he regards them as primitive forms in this respect and terms them _Prototrophic_.

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