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.

---

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.

---

Etymology

Origin of chemosynthetic bacteria

First recorded in 1955–60; chemo- + synthetic

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

chemosynthetic bacteria

Instead of relying on sunlight, these communities are built by chemosynthetic bacteria.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 26, 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

Hydrothermal vents are found primarily in the abyssal zone; chemosynthetic bacteria utilize the hydrogen sulfide and other minerals emitted from the vents.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022

Around these vents chemosynthetic bacteria utilize the hydrogen sulfide and other minerals emitted as an energy source and serve as the base of the food chain found in the abyssal zone.

From Textbooks ● Sep. 6, 2018