Chemosynthetically

/ˌkiːmoʊsɪnˈθɛtɪkli/ adverb

Definition

In a manner relating to the process where organisms produce energy and organic compounds from chemical reactions rather than sunlight.

Etymology

From chemosynthetic (chemo- + synthetic, from Greek chemeia 'alchemy' + synthesis 'putting together') + -ally adverbial suffix. The term emerged in the 20th century to describe energy production in deep-sea organisms.

Kelly Says

Scientists discovered that some bacteria thriving around hydrothermal vents don't need the sun at all—they break chemical bonds in minerals to survive, upending our understanding of where life could exist in the universe.

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