Question:

The primary producers of the deep-sea hydrothermal vent ecosystem are

Updated On: Apr 20, 2025
  • green algae
  • chemosynthetic bacteria
  • blue-green algae
  • coral reefs
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The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

Option 2: chemosynthetic bacteria

Explanation:

In the deep-sea hydrothermal vent ecosystems, sunlight is completely absent, so traditional photosynthetic organisms like green algae or blue-green algae cannot survive there. Instead, the base of the food chain is formed by chemosynthetic bacteria, which use chemical energy from inorganic molecules (such as hydrogen sulfide) emitted by the vents to synthesize organic compounds through a process known as chemosynthesis.

This unique mode of production supports entire communities of organisms like giant tube worms, clams, and crabs, making chemosynthetic bacteria the primary producers in these deep-sea environments.

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Concepts Used:

Energy Flow through Ecosystems

The energy flow in the ecosystem is one of the major factors that support the survival of such a large number of organisms. For almost all lifeforms on earth, solar energy is the primary source of energy. It is entertaining to find that we receive less than 50 % of the sun’s effective radiation on the earth. When we say effective radiation, we mean the radiation, which can be utilized by plants to carry out photosynthesis.

The energy flow takes place throughout the food chain and food web. During the process of energy flow in the ecosystem, plants being the producers absorb sunlight with the help of the chloroplasts and a part of it is converted into chemical energy in the process of photosynthesis. This energy is stored in different organic products in the plants and passed on to the primary consumers in the food chain when the herbivores consume the plants as food. Then followed by the secondary consumers. Finally, when tertiary consumers consume the carnivores, energy will again be degraded. Thus, the energy flow is unidirectional in nature.