chemolithotrophy
/ˌkiːmə(ʊ)ˈlɪθəˌtrəʊfi/ /ˌkɛmə(ʊ)ˈlɪθəˌtrəʊfi/Biology
noun
A form of chemotrophic nutrition in which a simple inorganic compound is oxidized in the course of biosynthesis. Contrasted with chemoorganotrophy.
- Such nutrition may require an organic compound as a carbon source; but compare chemolithoautotrophy..
Origin
1940s; earliest use found in Cold Spring Harbor Symposium on Quantitative Biology. From chemo- + litho- (indicating the use of mineral substances) + -trophy. Compare chemoorganotrophy and photolithotrophy.