Category:Lithotrophs

Lithotrophs are a diverse group of organisms using inorganic substrate (usually minerals) to obtain reducing equivalents for use in biosynthesis (e.g., carbon dioxide fixation) or energy conservation via aerobic or anaerobic respiration.

The term "lithotroph" was created from the Greek terms 'lithos' (rock) and 'troph' (consumer), meaning "eaters of rock". Many lithoautotrophs are extremophiles, but this is not universally so.

Different from a lithotroph is an organotroph, an organism which obtains its reducing agents from the catabolism of organic compounds.