Dictionary > Chemolithotroph

Chemolithotroph

Definition
noun, plural: chemolitotrophs
An organism deriving energy from chemical reactions and synthesizing all necessary organic compounds from carbon dioxide.
Supplement
Examples are certain bacteria and archaea, which are further grouped into methanogens, halophiles, sulfur reducers, nitrifiers, anammoxbacteria and thermoacidophiles.
Word origin: Gk: Chemo = chemical, auto = self, troph = nourishment

Related forms: chemoautotrophic (adjective), chemoautotrophy (noun)
Synonym: chemoautotroph
Compare: chemoheterotroph

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