Chemotrophic

/ˌkiːmoʊˈtrɑːfɪk/ adjective

Definition

Relating to or characteristic of chemotrophs; obtaining energy from chemical reactions rather than light or organic matter.

Etymology

From chemotroph + -ic adjectival suffix. Used to describe the metabolic strategy of organisms that rely on chemical energy sources.

Kelly Says

Chemotrophic bacteria are nature's miners—they extract energy from rocks and minerals the way a human extracts energy from food, a completely alien form of survival.

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