chemautotroph

chemoautroph (ˌkiːməʊˈɔːtrəuf, ˌkɛm-)

/ (ˌkiːməʊˈɔːtətrəʊf) /

noun

biology an organism, such as a bacterium, that obtains its energy from inorganic reactions using simple compounds, such as ammonia or hydrogen sulphideAlso called: chemolithotroph

Nearby words

chelyuskin, chelyuskin, cape, chem-, chem., chem.e., chemautotroph, chemexfoliation, chemi-, chemic, chemical, chemical abuse

Derived Forms

chemautotrophic (ˌkiːməʊˌɔːtəˈtrɒfɪk, ˌkɛm-), adjective

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