Chemosynthesis
Chemosynthesis
Chemosynthesis is a process by which certain organisms synthesize carbohydrates by using energy obtained by the oxidation of inorganic substances.
Most of the bacteria obtain their food materials from external sources and they cannot synthesize their food by themselves.
These are called heterotrophic organisms.
Whereas, some bacteria are capable of synthesizing their food either by photosynthesis or chemosynthesis.
Organisms which use sunlight energy for synthesis of food materials are called photosynthetic organisms or photoautotrophs.
Those organisms which use chemical energy for the synthesis of carbon compounds are called chemosynthetic organisms.
There are two groups of chemosynthetic organisms namely, chemosynthetic autotrophs and chemosynthetic heterotrophs.
Chemosynthetic autotrophs
Examples for chemosynthetic autotrophs are Nitrosomonas, Beggiatoa.
Nitrosomonas oxidizes ammonia into nitrite.
The energy liberated during this process is used for the synthesis of carbohydrates.
2NH3 +3O2 → 2NO2– +2H2O + 2H+ + Energy
Beggiatoa oxidises H2S to sulphur and water.
During this, energy is released and used for its growth.
Sulphur is stored as granules inside cell.
H2S + [O] → H2O + S + Energy
Chemosynthetic heterotrophs
Examples for chemosynthetic heterotrophs are fungi, most bacteria, animals and man.
These organisms cannot prepare their food materials, hence they are heterotrophs.
They obtain the energy for growth by chemi- cal reactions ie. by oxidizing the organic compounds.
For example, en- ergy is released when glucose is oxidised in the process of respiration.
Thus, these organisms are chemosynthetic heterotrophs.
Other links
Plant tissue culture – origin and techniques
Plant physiology – photosynthesis and its significance
Site of photosynthesis and Mechanism of photosynthesis
Electron transport system and photophosphorylation types
Factors affecting photosynthesis
Test tube and funnel experiment, Ganong’s light screen experiment
Mode of nutrition – Autotrophic, Heterotrophic
Mechanism of Respiration – Glycolysis
Mechanism of Respiration – Oxidative decarboxylation , Krebs cycle
Mechanism of Respiration – Electron Transport Chain, Energy Yield
Ganong’s respiroscope, Pentose phosphate pathway
Plant growth and Measurement of plant growth
Phytohormones Cytokinin, Ethylene, Abscisic Acid, Growth Inhibitors – Physiological Effects
Photoperiodism and vernalization, Phytochromes and flowering