Bacteria that live in deep ocean volcanic vents form the base of an ecosystem that exists without light. They obtain electrons from hydrogen sulfide compounds dissolved in the vent water, and synthesize sugars from carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. The bacteria would be classified as

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

These bacteria are chemolithoautotrophs because they obtain energy from chemical reactions involving inorganic molecules (chemolitho-) and use this energy to fix carbon dioxide into organic compounds (-autotrophs), all without the need for light.

Bacteria That Live in Deep Ocean Volcanic Vents Form the Base