chemotroph

[ kee-muh-trof, -trawf, -trohf, kem-uh- ]
/ ˈki məˌtrɒf, -ˌtrɔf, -ˌtroʊf, ˌkɛm ə- /

noun Bacteriology, Biology.

any organism that oxidizes inorganic or organic compounds as its principal energy source.

Origin of chemotroph

chemo- + -troph < Greek trophḗ food

OTHER WORDS FROM chemotroph

che·mo·troph·ic [kee-muh-trof-ik, -troh-fik, kem-uh-] /ˌki məˈtrɒf ɪk, -ˈtroʊ fɪk, ˌkɛm ə-/, adjective

Scientific definitions for chemotrophic

chemotroph
[ kēmō-trŏf′ ]

An organism that manufactures its own food through chemosynthesis (the oxidation of inorganic chemical compounds) as opposed to photosynthesis. The sulfur-oxidizing bacteria found at deep-sea hydrothermal vents and nitrifying bacteria in the soil are chemotrophs. Also called chemoautotroph Compare phototroph.