chemotroph

American  

[kee-muh-trof, -trawf, -trohf, kem-uh-] / ˈki məˌtrɒf, -ˌtrɔf, -ˌtroʊf, ˌkɛm ə- /

noun

Bacteriology, Biology.

1. any organism that oxidizes inorganic or organic compounds as its principal energy source.

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chemotroph Scientific  

/ kē′mō-trŏf′ /

1. An organism that manufactures its own food through chemosynthesis (the oxidation of inorganic chemical compounds) as opposed to photosynthesis. The sulfur-oxidizing bacteria found at deep-sea hydrothermal vents and nitrifying bacteria in the soil are chemotrophs.

2. Also called chemoautotroph

3. Compare phototroph

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Other Word Forms

• chemotrophic adjective

Etymology

Origin of chemotroph

chemo- + -troph < Greek trophḗ food