What inorganic chemical do the symbiotic chemoautotrophic bacteria metabolize near the vents?
Answer
Hydrogen sulfide
The entire ecosystem surrounding the Yeti Crab is powered by chemosynthesis, an energy process independent of sunlight. The symbiotic chemoautotrophic bacteria that live on the crab's hairy limbs derive their energy by metabolizing specific inorganic chemicals ejected from the hydrothermal vents. The primary chemical utilized in this process, which allows these bacteria to convert inorganic compounds into organic food energy usable by the crab, is hydrogen sulfide.
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