chemosynthesis

[ kee-moh-sin-thuh-sis, kem-oh- ]
/ ˌki moʊˈsɪn θə sɪs, ˌkɛm oʊ- /

noun Biology, Biochemistry.

the synthesis of organic compounds within an organism, with chemical reactions providing the energy source.

Origin of chemosynthesis

First recorded in 1900–05; chemo- + synthesis

OTHER WORDS FROM chemosynthesis

che·mo·syn·thet·ic [kee-moh-sin-thet-ik, kem-oh-] /ˌki moʊ sɪnˈθɛt ɪk, ˌkɛm oʊ-/, adjective che·mo·syn·thet·i·cal·ly, adverb

Words nearby chemosynthesis

chemosphere, chemostat, chemosterilant, chemosterilize, chemosurgery, chemosynthesis, chemosynthetic bacteria, chemotactic, chemotaxis, chemotaxonomy, chemotherapeutics

British Dictionary definitions for chemosynthesis

chemosynthesis
/ (ˌkɛməʊˈsɪnθɪsɪs) /

noun

the formation of organic material by certain bacteria using energy derived from simple chemical reactions

Derived forms of chemosynthesis

chemosynthetic (ˌkɛməʊsɪnˈθɛtɪk), adjective chemosynthetically, adverb

Scientific definitions for chemosynthesis

chemosynthesis
[ kē′mō-sĭn′thĭ-sĭs ]

The formation of organic compounds using the energy released from chemical reactions instead of the energy of sunlight. Bacteria living in aphotic areas of the ocean are able to survive by chemosynthesis. They use energy derived from the oxidation of inorganic chemicals, such as sulfur released from deep hydrothermal vents, to produce their food. Compare photosynthesis.