saprotroph (saprobe; saprobiont) Any organism that feeds by absorbing dead organic matter. Most saprotrophs are bacteria and fungi. Saprotrophs are important in food chains as they bring about decay and release nutrients for plant growth. Compare parasitism.

saprotroph(saprobe, saprovore) Any organism that absorbs soluble organic nutrients from inanimate sources (e.g. from dead plant or animal matter, from dung, etc.). If the organism is a plant or is plant-like it is called a saprophyte; if it is an animal or is animal-like it is called a saprozoite. See also consumer organism.

saprotroph (saprobe, saprovore) Any organism that absorbs soluble organic nutrients from inanimate sources (e.g. from dead plant or animal matter, dung, etc.). If the organism is a plant or is plant-like, it is called a saprophyte; if it is an animal or is animal-like, it is called a saprozoite. See also CONSUMER.

saprotroph (saprobe, saprovore) Any organism that absorbs soluble organic nutrients from inanimate sources, e.g. from dead plant or animal matter, from dung, etc. If the organism is a plant or is plant-like, it is called a saprophyte. See also CONSUMER ORGANISM.