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Osmotrophy
Osmotrophy is a form of heterotrophic nutrition and a cellular feeding mechanism involving the direct absorption of dissolved organic compounds by osmosis. Organisms that use osmotrophy are called osmotrophs. Osmotrophy is used by diverse groups of organisms. Organisms that use osmotrophy include microorganisms like bacteria, many species of protists and most fungi. Invertebrate animal groups like molluscs, sponges, corals, brachiopods and echinoderms may use osmotrophic feeding as a supplemental food source.
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