Final answer:
Auxotrophs are unable to grow on minimal media unless the specific nutrient they lack is added to that media. These strains require supplementation of specific nutrients they cannot synthesize due to genetic mutations, which is crucial for their growth.
Step-by-step explanation:
Auxotrophs will not grow on minimal media unless the nutrient they are deficient in is provided. Auxotrophs are mutant strains that have lost the ability to synthesize a compound required for their growth and must obtain it from their environment. For instance, if an organism cannot produce a certain amino acid due to a mutation, it will only grow on a media supplemented with that specific amino acid. This concept is used in experiments to determine the nutritional requirements of different strains and to study metabolic pathways.
In the context provided, heterotrophs like fungi that are obligate biotrophs have distinct nutrient requirements and must acquire them directly from living cells. Similarly, facultative anaerobes can grow without oxygen using a final electron acceptor other than oxygen, but they show better growth in the presence of oxygen. Autotrophs such as plants, however, synthesize their own organic compounds from simple elements and compounds like carbon dioxide, nitrate, and sulfate without the need for prepackaged organic nutrients.