Bite-Sized Morsels of Biology that are Good and Good For You
Chemosynthesis
Chemosynthesis is another way that some autotrophs can make their own food.
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It is not very common compared to photosynthesis, only performed by some members of the domain Archaea
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The purpose is the same, fix inorganic carbon molecules to store energy in organic molecules like glucose.
Deep Dark Ocean
The most common example of chemosynthesis is performed by deep sea prokaryotes near volcanic vents.
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Energy is converted from heat and inorganic molecules like hydrogen sulfide which combine with carbon dioxide to make glucose
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These prokaryotes for symbiotic relationships (mutualism) with giant tube worms. Tube worms provide protections and the bacteria provide food.
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Other forms can use hydrogen or iron ions as energy or methane (CH4) as a source of carbon
