Bacteria at hydrothermal vents fix carbon using energy from inorganic chemical reactions.
Hydrogen sulfide oxidation powers carbon fixation at hydrothermal vents, supporting tube worms, clams and mussels with symbionts. Discovered in 1977 near the Galapagos.
Chemosynthetic bacteria oxidise reduced compounds (H2S, NH3, Fe2+) for ATP and fix CO2. They are primary producers in the dark.
Example: nitrifying bacteria in soils are chemosynthetic.
Bacteria at hydrothermal vents fix carbon using energy from inorganic chemical reactions.
Chemosynthesis is one of the 53 topics in Metabolism & Bioenergetics. It is rated Advanced, so it suits learners who want specialist depth. Related topics in this area include Energy Flow in Ecosystems, Proton Motive Force, Cellular Respiration.
Some life may exist without sunlight.
Work through the Beginner topics in Metabolism & Bioenergetics first, such as Metabolism, Anabolism and Catabolism, ATP, then return to Chemosynthesis. Advanced topics assume the Intermediate vocabulary.
The closest topics to Chemosynthesis are Energy Flow in Ecosystems, Proton Motive Force, Cellular Respiration, Anabolism and Catabolism. Comparing them side by side is a good way to see how the ideas connect.
Read the summary and the in-depth section, then use the quick check on the interactive lesson for Chemosynthesis. To practise the whole of Metabolism & Bioenergetics, use the Metabolism & Bioenergetics quiz.
Chemosynthesis: Bacteria at hydrothermal vents fix carbon using energy from inorganic chemical reactions. Energy Flow in Ecosystems: Energy enters from the sun, flows through food chains and is lost as heat at each step. Read both side by side and note what each one explains.
First, read the summary and write the definition in your own words. Second, read the in-depth section and note any example. Third, compare it with Energy Flow in Ecosystems and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Metabolism & Bioenergetics quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.
Energy enters from the sun, flows through food chains and is lost as heat at each step.
⚡ Metabolism & BioenergeticsThe combined chemical and electrical gradient of protons that powers ATP synthase and transport.
⚡ Metabolism & BioenergeticsThe process of releasing energy from glucose to make ATP, using oxygen in the aerobic form.
⚡ Metabolism & BioenergeticsAnabolic reactions build complex molecules using energy; catabolic reactions break them down to release energy.
⚡ Metabolism & Bioenergetics