saprophyte

(noun)

any organism that lives on dead organic matter, as certain fungi and bacteria

Related Terms

  • mycobiont
  • photosynthate
  • mycelium
  • hypha
  • chitin
  • thallus
  • ergosterol
  • epiphyte
  • insectivorous
  • photobiont
  • septum
  • glucan

Examples of saprophyte in the following topics:

  • Nutrients from Other Sources

    • This may occur with plants that are parasitic or saprophytic: ingesting and utilizing dead matter as a food source.
    • A saprophyte is a plant that does not have chlorophyll, obtaining its food from dead matter, similar to bacteria and fungi.
    • (Note that fungi are often called saprophytes, which is incorrect, because fungi are not plants).
    • Most saprophytes do not directly digest dead matter.
    • Saprophytic plants are uncommon with only a few, described species.
  • Fungi Cell Structure and Function

    • Fungi are mostly saprobes (saprophyte is an equivalent term): organisms that derive nutrients from decaying organic matter.
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