chemosynthesis

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

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

Origin of chemosynthesis

1
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

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British Dictionary definitions for chemosynthesis

chemosynthesis

/ (ˌkɛməʊˈsɪnθɪsɪs) /


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

Derived forms of chemosynthesis

  • chemosynthetic (ˌkɛməʊsɪnˈθɛtɪk), adjective
  • chemosynthetically, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for chemosynthesis

chemosynthesis

[ kē′mō-sĭnthĭ-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. Compare photosynthesis.

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