Bacterial Symbionts Most Often Provide Marine Invertebrates in Hydrothermal Vents

Question

Bacterial symbionts most often provide marine invertebrates in hydrothermal vents with
A) fixed nitrogen in the form of ammonia.
B) sulfate and other sulfur compounds.
C) cellulolytic enzymes to help digest plant material.
D) fixed carbon dioxide in the form of organic compounds.

Accepted Answer

Bacterial symbionts in hydrothermal vents primarily provide marine invertebrates with fixed carbon dioxide in the form of organic compounds through chemosynthesis, enabling these organisms to thrive in environments where sunlight is not available for photosynthesis.