Question

What is chemosynthesis?

Answer 1

The process of making organic compounds from 1-2 carbon atom molecules (`CO_2` or methane) using the oxidation of inorganic substances as a source of energy.

Chemo means "chemical" and Synthesis means "constructing". Meaning that it is the process in which carbohydrates are chemically produced by some organisms in the absence of sunlight.

In other words, this is the dark equivalent of "photosynthesis" in environments where sunlight can't reach.

This process is highly utilized by organisms living in very deep sea or in underground caverns.