\Chem`o*syn"the*sis\, n. [Chemical + synthesis.]
(Plant Physiol.)
Synthesis of organic compounds by energy derived from
chemical changes or reactions. Chemosynthesis of
carbohydrates occurs in the nitrite bacteria through the
oxidation of ammonia to nitrous acid, and in the nitrate
bacteria through the conversion of nitrous into nitric acid.
-- {Chem`o*syn*thet"ic}, a.