Chapter 19, Problem 1STP

Summary Introduction

Introduction:

Chemoautotrophs are organisms that obtain their energy from chemical reactions and use carbon dioxide to produce organic compounds.

Answer to Problem 1STP

Correct answer :

The correct answer is option B deep-ocean volcanic vent.

Explanation of Solution

Explanation/justification for the correct answer :

Option B deep ocean volcanic vent. Organisms such as bacteria, methanogenic archaea bacteria, etc. love in deep-sea vents and utilize sulfur (elemental form), hydrogen sulfide, manganese, molecular hydrogen, iron, and ammonia as their source of energy. Chemolithotrophs use reduced chemical species as their energy source to generate organic carbon after the reduction of carbon dioxide.

Explanation for incorrect answer :

Option A. Coral reef houses microorganisms that are free-living and associated with some host (pathogenic or symbiotic), and diazotrophs that fix nitrogen in its elemental form to produce ammonia.

Option C. Mountain lakes possess a rich diversity of microorganisms that are autotrophic, heterotrophic, and parasitic in nature.

Option D. Bacteria, actinomycetes, fungi, algae, and protozoa are microbial diversity found in the soil growing near a spring.