Q9TYU - Campbell Biology

Question

In a short essay (about 100–150 words), discuss how prokaryotes and other members of hydrothermal vent communities transfer and transform energy.

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

Phototropic prokaryotes such as heliobacteria use sunlight as an energy source and convert it to energy. Chemotrophic prokaryotes such as nitrogen-fixing bacteria use organic and inorganic materials as an energy source and convert them into an energy source. 

Step 1: Transfer and transformation of energy

Prokaryotic cells obtain their energy by two mechanisms that are organic materials and sunlight. Some of them depend on light to obtain and transfer energy and are called photoautotrophs. 

 

Some of them depend on organic materials such as nitrogen and carbon materials of dead and decaying matter to obtain and transfer energy and are called chemoheterotrophs. 

Step 2: Characteristics of prokaryotes

Prokaryotes are organisms that do not contain many organelles in their cells, such as lysosomes and mitochondria. They gain energy from many sources such as light or by organic and inorganic materials.

 

Prokaryotic cells contain nucleoids in their structure instead of the nucleus to store their genetic material. They are unicellular. Their growth is faster than eukaryotic bacteria. 

Step 3: Hydrothermal vents supporting in transforming energy

The term hydrothermal vent indicates the opening in the seafloor from which mineral-rich water flows. This water is rich in minerals and supports chemotrophic bacteria to gain energy. 

 

Here, chemotrophic bacteria depend on minerals obtained in hydrothermal vents and convert these minerals into energy. This helps them to survive in adverse conditions.