chemotroph

[ kee-muh-trof, -trawf, -trohf, kem-uh- ]

nounBacteriology, Biology.
  1. any organism that oxidizes inorganic or organic compounds as its principal energy source.

Origin of chemotroph

1
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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

Scientific definitions for chemotroph

chemotroph

[ mō-trŏf′ ]


  1. 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.

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