Microbes obtain energy from oxidising inorganic compounds such as hydrogen sulfide or ammonia.
Examples: nitrifiers oxidising ammonia, sulfur-oxidising bacteria in hydrothermal vents and iron oxidisers. They fix CO2 and support ecosystems without light.
Chemolithotrophs are key in nitrogen and sulfur cycles. They often autotrophically fix CO2.
Remember: they use inorganic energy sources.
Microbes obtain energy from oxidising inorganic compounds such as hydrogen sulfide or ammonia.
Chemolithotrophy is one of the 54 topics in Microbiology. It is rated Advanced, so it suits learners who want specialist depth. Related topics in this area include Bacterial Metabolism, Microorganisms, Bioremediation.
Giant tube worms host sulfur-oxidising symbionts.
Work through the Beginner topics in Microbiology first, such as Microorganisms, Bacteria, Archaea, then return to Chemolithotrophy. Advanced topics assume the Intermediate vocabulary.
The closest topics to Chemolithotrophy are Bacterial Metabolism, Microorganisms, Bioremediation, Nitrogen-Fixing Bacteria. Comparing them side by side is a good way to see how the ideas connect.
Read the summary and the in-depth section, then use the quick check on the interactive lesson for Chemolithotrophy. To practise the whole of Microbiology, use the Microbiology quiz.
Chemolithotrophy: Microbes obtain energy from oxidising inorganic compounds such as hydrogen sulfide or ammonia. Bacterial Metabolism: Bacteria are aerobes, anaerobes or facultative, and may be phototrophs or chemotrophs. Read both side by side and note what each one explains.
First, read the summary and write the definition in your own words. Second, read the in-depth section and note any example. Third, compare it with Bacterial Metabolism and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Microbiology quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.
Bacteria are aerobes, anaerobes or facultative, and may be phototrophs or chemotrophs.
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