Question

Explain the term 'Chemosynthetic autotroph'

Answer 1

Chemosynthetic organisms are those organisms which obtain their food using the chemical energy present in inorganic molecules. Chemosynthetic autotrophs are the organisms which can synthesize their energy from oxidation of inorganic substances like elemental sulfur, nitrates, nitrites, etc. The energy released during this oxidation process is utilized in synthesis of ATP molecules. They are also called as chemoautotrophs. Examples include Methanogenic bacteria, archaea, sulfur-oxidizing bacteria.