chemosynthetic bacteria

American  

plural noun

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

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chemosynthetic bacteria Scientific  

/ 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.

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Etymology

Origin of chemosynthetic bacteria

First recorded in 1955–60; chemo- + synthetic

Example Sentences

Such conditions can support communities of chemosynthetic bacteria.

From Science Daily • Mar. 8, 2026

Footage from remotely operated submersibles exploring seafloors far below the photic zone revealed that microbial mats can develop there as well, but they are produced by chemosynthetic bacteria.

From Science Daily • Mar. 8, 2026

The deep sea's cryptic menagerie features everything from charismatic megafauna such as sixgill sharks to sprawling mats of chemosynthetic bacteria.

From Scientific American • Jun. 20, 2023

These chemosynthetic bacteria use the hydrogen sulfide as an energy source and serve as the base of the food chain found in the abyssal zone.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

These chemosynthetic bacteria use the hydrogen sulfide as an energy source and serve as the base of the food chain found around the vents.

From Textbooks • Apr. 25, 2013