asyntrophy

/ˌæsɪnˈtrɒfi/

Definitions

1. noun

A condition in which an organism derives energy from the breakdown of other organic matter, often used to describe certain bacteria that cannot undergo photosynthesis.

“The scientist studied the asyntrophy of the bacteria in the soil ecosystem.”

Synonyms

  • chemoautotrophy
  • chemosynthesis

Antonyms

  • autotrophy
  • photosynthesis