Question

What role do chemosynthetic bacteria play in deep-sea volcanic-vent ecosystems?

Answer 1

They.derive energy from chemical reactions, taking on a similar role to plants on the surface in that they lie at the first trophic level.

Explanation:

Typically they oxidise sulphides (or methane) and release energy from these chemicals in the absence of sunlight at deep sea hydrothermal vents.

Some of these bacteria live inside the guts of tubeworms and other organisms at the bottom of the food chain. The energy is then available to other (higher) organisms that prey on or scavenge these.