What does chemosynthesis mean?
Chemosynthesis is the biological process by which certain organisms — chiefly bacteria and archaea — build organic molecules from carbon dioxide and water without relying on sunlight. Instead of capturing light energy as plants do in photosynthesis, these organisms draw their energy from chemical reactions, oxidizing inorganic substances such as hydrogen sulfide, methane, ammonia, or iron compounds. The resulting food supports organisms that live where light cannot reach: deep-sea hydrothermal vents, dark caves, hot springs, and even underground rock formations. Chemosynthesis was first identified in the late nineteenth century by the German botanist Sergei Winogradsky, who showed that sulfur bacteria could live on inorganic chemistry alone. Its fame grew dramatically after the discovery of thriving vent ecosystems on the Pacific seafloor in 1977, where entire communities depend on chemosynthetic bacteria. The word is formal and scientific in register, appearing mainly in biology, ecology, and astrobiology discussions of life in extreme environments.
nounThe process by which some bacteria and other organisms synthesize organic compounds from carbon dioxide and water using the chemical energy released by the oxidation of inorganic substances, rather than using sunlight as in photosynthesis.
- The biological process by which certain microorganisms produce organic matter using energy derived from chemical reactions of inorganic substances instead of sunlight.
"Deep-sea tube worms survive entirely on bacteria that make food through chemosynthesis at hydrothermal vents."
"Giant tube worms around hydrothermal vents depend on symbiotic bacteria that generate nutrients through chemosynthesis."
"The discovery of chemosynthesis in the late nineteenth century revealed that life does not require sunlight as its only energy source."
Rarely used; the plural appears mainly in scientific writing when distinguishing distinct types or instances of the process.
"Different microbial groups carry out several distinct chemosyntheses depending on which compound they oxidize for energy."
At the bottom of the ocean, entire ecosystems thrive with zero sunlight — powered not by the sun but by bacteria performing chemosynthesis on chemicals spewing from hydrothermal vents.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of chemosynthesis
Chemosynthesis derives from the Greek-derived combining form 'chemo-', from 'chēmeia' (alchemy, chemistry), joined to 'synthesis', meaning 'a putting together', from Greek 'syn-' (together) plus 'tithenai' (to place). The term was coined in the context of nineteenth-century microbiology, popularized through the work of Sergei Winogradsky in the 1880s–1890s, who demonstrated that bacteria could derive energy from inorganic oxidation. It shares roots with words such as chemistry, synthesis, photosynthesis, and biosynthesis.
How chemosynthesis is actually used
A technical term used almost exclusively in biology, microbiology, ecology, and earth science; rare in everyday speech. It carries no figurative or informal use. The word is typically uncountable, though a plural referring to specific instances or types is occasionally seen in scientific writing.
Easily confused with chemosynthesis
Photosynthesis uses light energy to build sugars from carbon dioxide, whereas chemosynthesis uses energy from chemical reactions involving inorganic compounds.