1. able to synthesize all required nutrients from simple inorganic compounds
Usage: biology; microbiology

Examples

• Prototrophic bacteria can grow on minimal media containing only basic salts and a carbon source.
• The wild-type strain was prototrophic, requiring no additional nutrients for growth.
• Scientists compared prototrophic and auxotrophic mutants to study metabolic pathways.
• Most prototrophic organisms can manufacture their own amino acids and vitamins.
• The researcher selected prototrophic colonies that could survive on simple medium.
• Prototrophic microorganisms are often used as reference strains in genetic studies.