Lecithotrophic
/ˌlɛsɪˈθɒtrəfɪk/noun
Describing an embryo or developing organism nourished primarily by stored yolk rather than by nutrients supplied directly by the parent.
Did you know?In reproductive biology, lecithotrophy is the opposite of matrotrophy: the embryo feeds on its original yolk reserve instead of receiving ongoing nourishment from the mother.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
λέκιθος (lékithos)
“Yolk, especially the yolk of an egg”
Ancient Greek
Greek
τρέφειν (tréphein)
“To nourish, feed, or bring up”
Ancient Greek
Greek
τροφή (trophḗ)
“Nourishment, food, or rearing”
19th Century
Scientific Latin
lecitho-
“A combining form meaning yolk, from Greek lékithos”
19th–20th Century
Scientific Greek/Latin
-trophic
“A combining form relating to nourishment or nutritional mode”
20th Century
English
lecithotrophic
“Nourished by yolk during embryonic or early development”
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