Hemotrophe

/ˈhiːmoʊˌtroʊf/ noun

Definition

In biology, an organism that nourishes itself by consuming or absorbing nutrients from blood, such as certain parasites.

Etymology

From Greek 'haima' (blood) + 'trophe' (nourishment). Describes organisms whose nutrition comes from blood.

Kelly Says

Leeches and mosquitoes are hemotrophs that have special tricks to keep blood from clotting in their mouths—they produce anticoagulants that surgeons now study for making better blood thinning medicines.

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