word
Chemosynthesis
kee-moh-SIN-theh-sis
/ˌkiːmoʊˈsɪnθɪsɪs/Listen
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Syllable breakdown
chemosynthesis
Dictionary meaning
A process by which certain microorganisms produce organic compounds using energy derived from the oxidation of inorganic chemicals such as hydrogen sulphide, rather than from sunlight, forming the basis of food webs in deep-sea and other light-deprived environments.
Examples
- Bacteria near hydrothermal vents sustain entire ecosystems through chemosynthesis.
- Chemosynthesis was first described in 1890 and fundamentally changed understanding of life without sunlight.
Synonyms: chemolithotrophy, dark fixation
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