1. The classification and identification of organisms based on their chemical composition and biochemical characteristics rather than morphological features.
Usage: scientific; biology

Examples

• Chemotaxonomy has revealed evolutionary relationships between plant species that were not apparent from physical appearance alone.
• The study of protein sequences in chemotaxonomy helps scientists understand how different organisms are related.
• Chemotaxonomy uses DNA analysis and chemical markers to classify microorganisms more accurately.
• Researchers applied chemotaxonomy to distinguish between similar-looking bacterial strains.
• The development of chemotaxonomy has transformed how biologists organize and understand biodiversity.