Question

Explain the term 'Chemosynthetic autotroph'

Answer 1

Organisms are classified on the basis of food they eat and how they prepare that food. The word chemo itself indicates that it is related to chemicals and auto means self.

Complete answer:
In biology, the chemosynthesis is the conversion of one or more than one carbon-containing molecules which are usually carbon dioxide or methane and nutrients into organic matter by using the energy released from the oxidation of inorganic compounds (e.g., hydrogen gas, hydrogen sulfide) or ferrous ions rather than sunlight as an energy source.
Autotrophs are the organisms that can produce complex organic compounds by using carbon from the simple substances available to them such as carbon dioxide, generally using energy from light or inorganic chemical reactions. Autotrophs mostly include primary producers. So, chemosynthetic autotrophic organisms are those types of organisms that prepare their own food by using inorganic substances. Examples include T. neapolitanus. T. novellus.

Additional Information: Organisms are basically divided into two groups which are autotroph and heterotroph. As already explained what are autotrophs, now we will understand what are heterotrophs. A heterotroph is defined as a group of organisms that obtain their food from other organisms and are not capable of producing their own food. There are some of the heterotrophs that directly depend on autotrophs for their food like herbivores feeding on plants, while some heterotrophs indirectly depend on the producers by feeding on the first type of heterotroph.

Note: Chemosynthetic heterotrophs are also present. For example fungi, most bacteria, animals, and man. These organisms are not able to prepare their food on their own, hence they are heterotrophs. These organisms obtain the energy for growth by performing chemical reactions, thus, these organisms are chemosynthetic heterotrophs.