chemosynthetic bacteria

plural noun

1. bacteria that synthesize organic compounds, using energy derived from the oxidation of organic or inorganic materials without the aid of light.

chemosynthetic bacteria

/ kē′mō-sĭn-thĕt′ĭk /

1. Bacteria that make food by chemosynthesis. Nitrifying bacteria are a type of chemosynthetic bacteria, as are the bacteria that live around vents in the bottom of the ocean.

Word History and Origins

Origin of chemosynthetic bacteria¹

First recorded in 1955–60; chemo- + synthetic