Chemosynthesis: What is, phases, organisms and difference with photosynthesis

Chemosynthesis is a anabolic biological processthat is, it manufactures molecules from simple chemical compounds to form more complex molecules. When analyzing the word chemosynthesis, we can easily understand that it is a process of Synthesis of chemical compounds. In the process, carbon rich molecules are used together with the oxidation of inorganic compounds, to produce organic matter. It is a metabolic process, that is, it is necessary for the survival of the organism, both to manufacture molecules and to obtain energy.

Said in a simple way, in chemosynthesis inorganic molecules are transformed into organic moleculesto be integrated into metabolism.

Chemosynthesis is carried out in two phases, which we detail below.

Phase I: Obtaining energy

This is the first step of chemosynthesis, and that is when the ATP generation is carried out in this phase, the energy molecule.

To do this, inorganic compounds oxidize, that is, they have no carbon, that they are present in the organism environment. Some of them are sulfur, methane, ferrous iron, ammonia, hydrogen or nitrites. The oxidation process implies that these molecules lose electrons that enter the electron conveyor chain, where ATP is generated. In this step, the inorganic compound will be transformed.

Phase II: CO2 fixation

It is the second part of chemosynthesis. Here the energy obtained to transform inorganic substances is used. It is at this time that CO2 or methane, which are carbon sources, are fixed to organic matter through the Calvin cycle. The result will be the transformation into carbohydrates and amino acids, which are the ones that the chemosynthetic organisms need to survive.

In general terms, certain bacteria and algae are grouped, and many of them live in extreme environments. Next, we present some of them.

Hydrogenous bacteria

They are those that oxidize hydrogen compounds. They use molecular hydrogen (H₂) as energy source, which react with oxygen to form water. This reaction releases energy, which is exploited for the synthesis of essential organic compounds. They are found in environments with low oxygen concentration and presence of gases, such as underground springs or deep marine sediments.

Sulfurous bacteria

These are organisms that oxidize sulfur compounds, which in many cases are formed in the decomposition of organic matter. These compounds, together with CO2, will form carbohydrates and sulfur, being the first ones that use the bacteria to perform their basic functions.

They are frequently found in discharge waters with a characteristic sulfur aroma, as well as in seabed hydrothermal sources, or between mud accumulation.

An example is the symbiotic bacteria that live in the giant tube worm (Riftia Pachyptila), which lives in oceanic hydrothermal, where light does not arrive and the temperature is extremely high. These bacteria use sulfideric acid as hydrothermal sources as energy sources, and produce as a result of chemosynthesis, in addition to carbohydrates and amino acids that require to survive, sulfide as a byproduct. These bacteria do the process of obtaining organic matter so that the giant tube worm can take advantage of them to survive.

Nitrifying bacteria

They are those that oxidize the ammonia first to nitrites and then to nitrates, which are extremely important for plants to grow. For example, these nitrogen compounds help legumes produce proteins.

Some examples of nitrifying bacteria species are Nitrobacter spp., And Nitrosomonas spp.

Ferrous bacteria

Oxidize ferrous oxide oxide, and an example is LEPTOSPIRILLUM FERROOXIDANS. As a byproduct they form ferric oxide, known as oxide. They contribute to the deterioration of pipes, and can be identified by a rotten smell.

Both photosynthesis and chemosynthesis are anabolic processes in which an organism produces its own energy, but the difference between the two is that the photosynthesis use light energy to generate energy, while the chemosynthesis uses chemical energy to this end.

In this other ecology article, you can know more about photosynthesis: what is, phases and importance.

Chemosynthesis was the first type of metabolism that existed on earth. If it weren’t for this process, there would be no life.

It is important at the ecosystem level because it uses reduced substances that heterotrophic living beings emit as waste to carry out their metabolization process. This means that they are recycling inorganic compounds and closing the cycle which supports other living beings. For example, nitrifying bacteria will use ammonia from animal corpses, in useful nitrates for plants. Also, they help maintain the cycle of nitrogen and hydrogen, both indispensable for life.

On the other hand, they can Improve environmental conditions. For example, there are some bacteria that nitrify the soil, leaving this bioavailable element for plants.

If you want to read more articles similar to Chemosynthesis: What is, phases, organisms and difference with photosynthesiswe recommend that you enter our biology category.