chemosynthesis

[ kee-moh-sin-thuh-sis, kem-oh- ]

noun

, Biology, Biochemistry.

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

chemosynthesis

/ ˌkɛməʊsɪnˈθɛtɪk; ˌkɛməʊˈsɪnθɪsɪs /

noun

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

chemosynthesis

/ kē′mō-sĭn′thĭ-sĭs /

1. 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.
2. Compare photosynthesis

Derived Forms

• ˌchemosynˈthetically, adverb
• chemosynthetic, adjective

Other Words From

• che·mo·syn·thet·ic [kee-moh-sin-, thet, -ik, kem-oh-], adjective
• chemo·syn·theti·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of chemosynthesis¹

First recorded in 1900–05; chemo- + synthesis

Example Sentences

These hydrothermal vents are energy-rich habitats based on chemosynthesis where microorganisms from the base of the food webs.

From Science Daily

Here, microbes play the role of primary producers through chemosynthesis -- similar to the role that plants play on land through photosynthesis.

From Science Daily

The hydrothermal organisms, and the entire ecosystem, thrived in pure darkness, converting chemicals in the vent fluid into life-sustaining compounds through a process we now call chemosynthesis.

From Scientific American

But these bacteria devour sulfides to generate energy in a process known as chemosynthesis.

From Los Angeles Times

The existence of a different kind of life from what we are familiar with depends on a process known as bacterial chemosynthesis.

From The Guardian