electrolithoautotroph

{{Short description|Organism which feeds on electricity}}

An electrolithoautotroph is an organism which feeds on electricity. These organisms use electricity to convert carbon dioxide into organic matter by using electrons directly taken from solid-inorganic electron donors.{{cite journal|title=From chemolithoautotrophs to electrolithoautotrophs: CO₂ fixation by Fe(II)-oxidizing bacteria coupled with direct uptake of electrons from solid electron sources|journal=Front. Microbiol. |volume=6 |pages=994 |date= 2015 |doi=10.3389/fmicb.2015.00994|pmid=26500609 |pmc=4593280 |first1=Ishii |last1=Takumi |first2=Kawaichi |last2=Satoshi |first3=Nakagawa |last3=Hirotaka |first4=Hashimoto |last4=Kazuhito |first5=Nakamura |last5=Ryuhei|doi-access=free }} Electrolithoautotrophs are microorganisms which are found in the deep crevices of the ocean. The warm, mineral-rich environment provides a rich source of nutrients. The electron source for carbon assimilation from diffusible Fe²⁺ ions to an electrode under the condition that electrical current is the only source of energy and electrons. Electrolithoautotrophs form a third metabolic pathway compared to photosynthesis (plants converting light into sugar) and chemosynthesis (bacteria converting chemical energy into food).{{cite web|url=http://www.riken.jp/en/pr/topics/2015/20151216_3/|title=A bacteria's double life: living off both iron and electricity|publisher=Riken News |date=December 16, 2015}}