chemoautotrophy
/ˌkimoʊˌɔtəˈtrɑfi/
noun
- A process by which certain organisms (such as bacteria) get energy from chemical reactions and use carbon dioxide to make their own food, without needing sunlight.
- Chemoautotrophy allows bacteria living near deep-sea vents to survive without sunlight.
- Scientists study chemoautotrophy to understand how life can exist in extreme environments.
- Unlike plants, organisms that rely on chemoautotrophy do not need light for energy.