chemoheterotrophy
/ˌkiːmə(ʊ)ˈhɛt(ə)rəˌtrəʊfi/ /ˌkɛmə(ʊ)ˈhɛt(ə)rəˌtrəʊfi/Biology
noun
A form of chemotrophic nutrition in which an organic substrate is required; specifically one in which simple organic molecules provide a source of carbon for biosynthesis.
Origin
1970s. From chemo- + heterotrophy, after chemoheterotrophic. Compare German Chemoheterotrophie.