Bacteria Living in the Deep Sea

Question

Bacteria living in the deep sea
A) Are slow growing in all habitats
B) Are slow growing in abyssal soft sediments but grow rapidly near vents and seeps
C) Are not important in the food of macroinvertebrates anywhere in the deep sea
D) Are very similar to bacteria living in shallow water

Accepted Answer

Bacteria in the deep sea exhibit different growth rates depending on their environment. In abyssal soft sediments, they tend to grow slowly due to limited energy sources. However, near hydrothermal vents and cold seeps, where there is an abundance of chemical energy (such as hydrogen sulfide and methane), bacteria can grow rapidly. These environments provide unique conditions that support faster bacterial growth compared to the nutrient-poor abyssal plains.