Kemotrofit

Kemotrofit is a term that appears in some texts as a variant spelling of chemotroph, a biological category for organisms that obtain energy from chemical reactions rather than sunlight. In English-language biology, chemotroph is the standard term, while kemotrofit may occur as a transliteration or misspelling in non-English sources.

Chemotrophs derive their energy from redox reactions involving chemical compounds. They are broadly divided into two groups: chemoautotrophs and chemoheterotrophs. Chemoautotrophs obtain both energy and carbon from inorganic molecules, using carbon dioxide as a carbon source. They often oxidize inorganic substrates such as ammonia, nitrite, hydrogen, sulfur compounds, or ferrous iron to drive the fixation of CO2 into organic matter. Chemoheterotrophs, in contrast, obtain energy and carbon from organic molecules produced by other organisms; most bacteria, many fungi, and all animals fall into this category.

Energy sources and metabolism vary among chemotrophs. Some respire using inorganic electron acceptors (for example, nitrate, nitrite, sulfate, or oxygen in aerobic chemotrophy), while others rely on fermentation. The metabolic pathways enable chemotrophs to occupy diverse ecological niches, including soil, water, and extreme environments. They play key roles in nutrient cycles, such as the nitrogen and sulfur cycles, and influence ecosystem productivity and biogeochemistry.

In summary, chemotrophs (often spelled chemotrofit in certain languages) are organisms that harvest energy from chemical reactions, with metabolism that can be autotrophic or heterotrophic, supporting a wide range of ecological functions.