organotrófica

Organotrófica refers to a type of nutrition where an organism obtains electrons from organic compounds. Organotrophs, also known as chemoorganotrophs, utilize organic molecules as their energy source. This is in contrast to lithotrophs, which obtain electrons from inorganic compounds. Organotrophy is a very common mode of nutrition found in a wide range of organisms, including bacteria, archaea, fungi, and animals.

The organic compounds used by organotrophs can vary greatly in complexity, from simple sugars like glucose to more complex molecules such as amino acids, fatty acids, and hydrocarbons. The process of extracting energy from these organic molecules typically involves a series of biochemical reactions, often including cellular respiration or fermentation. In cellular respiration, electrons are transferred from the organic molecule through a series of electron carriers, ultimately to a final electron acceptor, such as oxygen (aerobic respiration) or an inorganic molecule other than oxygen (anaerobic respiration). Fermentation is an anaerobic process where organic molecules serve as both electron donors and acceptors.

Organotrophs play crucial roles in ecosystems. For instance, decomposers, which are often organotrophs, break down dead organic matter, recycling nutrients back into the environment. Many pathogens are also organotrophs, deriving their sustenance from the tissues of their hosts. The diversity of organic compounds available as electron donors contributes to the vast metabolic capabilities and ecological success of organotrophic organisms.