What is chemosynthesis? What is its similarity to photosynthesis?

In this article, we will consider which organisms are chemosynthesis. This is one of the ways of feeding live organisms, which is found in nature in some bacteria.

Methods of feeding organisms

To understand what chemosynthesis is, you must first remember which methods of nutrition different organisms use. On this basis, two groups of beings are distinguished: hetero- and autotrophs. The former are able to eat only ready organic substances. Proteins, fats and carbohydrates they absorb and transform with the help of specialized vacuoles or organs of the digestive system. Heterotrophs are animals, fungi, some bacteria.

Types of Autotrophs

Autotrophic organisms themselves synthesize organic substances, which are subsequently used to implement various vital processes. Depending on the energy source, which is used, two more groups of organisms are distinguished. This photo and hemotrophs. Representatives of the first of these are plants. They synthesize the carbohydrate into glucose during photosynthesis. This process occurs only in green plastids of chloroplasts in the presence of sunlight, water and carbon dioxide. Hemotrophs are some bacteria. To synthesize organic matter, they need various chemical compounds, which they oxidize. The similarities of photosynthesis and chemosynthesis are the ability of organisms to independently form the substances they need, obtaining from the environment carbon, water and mineral salts.

Chemosynthesis: definition of the concept and the history of discovery

Let's look at this in more detail. What is chemosynthesis? This is one of the ways of autotrophic nutrition, in which the process of oxidation of mineral compounds for the synthesis of organic occurs. Now find out which organisms are chemosynthesis. Such a unique ability in nature is possessed only by certain types of prokaryotes. This process was discovered at the end of the 19th century by the Russian microbiologist Sergei Nikolayevich Vinogradsky. Working in the Strasbourg laboratory of Anton de Bari, he carried out experience in obtaining energy through the oxidation of sulfur. The organisms that are capable of carrying out this chemical process, he called anorgoksidantami. In the course of his research, the scientist succeeded in discovering nitrogen-fixing bacteria. Before the discovery of the process of chemosynthesis, only photosynthetic plants and blue-green algae were attributed to autotrophic organisms.

Differences and similarities of photosynthesis and chemosynthesis

Both types of autotrophic nutrition are plastic exchange, or assimilation. This means that during these processes, the formation of organic substances and gas exchange. The initial reagents are mineral compounds. Photo and chemosynthesis are the ways of carrying out a cycle of substances in the biosphere. All types of autotrophs provide not only for themselves, but also other organisms necessary for life. For example, during photosynthesis oxygen is released. It is necessary for all living things to breathe. And hemotrophic nitrifying bacteria convert atmospheric nitrogen to a state in which it can be assimilated by plants.

But there are a number of differences between these types of food. Chemosynthesis occurs in bacterial cells that do not contain the green pigment of chlorophyll. And for oxidation they use compounds of only some substances: sulfur, nitrogen, hydrogen or iron. This method of nutrition is especially important in those places where sunlight is not available. So, at great depths only the hemotrophs can live. For the process of photosynthesis, solar energy is a prerequisite. Moreover, in plants this process occurs only in specialized cells containing green pigment chlorophyll. Another prerequisite for phototrophic nutrition is the presence of carbon dioxide.

Iron Bacteria

What is chemosynthesis can be considered with the example of bacteria that convert iron compounds. Their discovery also belongs to SN Vinogradsky. In nature, they are widely distributed in fresh and salt water bodies. The essence of their chemosynthesis consists in changing the valence of iron from two to three. At the same time, a small amount of energy is released. Therefore, iron bacteria have to carry out this process very intensively.

Since bacteria are one of the oldest organisms, as a result of their life on the planet, large deposits of iron and manganese ores have formed. In industry, these prokaryotes are used to produce pure copper.

Serobacteria

These prokaryotes restore sulfur compounds. The process of chemosynthesis was discovered on the study of these organisms. For oxidation, this type of bacteria uses hydrogen sulphide, sulfides, sulfates, polythionates and other substances. And some prokaryotes of this group accumulate elemental sulfur during chemosynthesis. This can happen both in cells and outside of them. This ability is used in solving the problem of additional aeration and acidification of soils.

The natural habitat of sulfur bacteria is fresh and salt water. There are known cases of the symbiosis of these organisms with tubular worms and mollusks that live in the ooze and bottom zone.

Nitrogen-fixing bacteria

The importance of chemosynthesis in nature is largely determined by the activity of nitrogen-fixing prokaryotes. Most of them live on the roots of leguminous and cereal plants. Their cohabitation is mutually beneficial. Plants provide prokaryotes with carbohydrates, which were synthesized during photosynthesis. And the bacteria produce nitrogen, which is necessary for the full development of the root system.

Before the discovery of the valuable properties of this species, it was believed that the bean leaves possess a unique ability. Later it was found out that the plants do not directly participate in the nitrogen fixation process, but the process is carried out by the bacteria that live in their roots.

This kind of prokaryotes carries out two types of chemical reactions. As a result of the first, ammonia is converted into nitrates. Solutions of these substances enter the plant with the help of the root system. Such bacteria are called nitrifying. Another group of similar prokaryotes turns nitrates into nitrogen gas. They are called denitrifying agents. As a result of their combined activity, a continuous cycle of this chemical element occurs in nature.

Nitrogen-fixing bacteria penetrate into the roots of plants in places of damage to the integumentary tissues or through the hairs of the suction zone. Once inside, prokaryotic cells begin to actively divide, resulting in numerous protrusions. They are visible to the naked eye. A person uses the property of nitrogen-fixing bacteria to provide soil with natural nitrates, which leads to an increase in yield.

Nature and chemosynthesis

The role of chemosynthesis in nature is difficult to overestimate. The process of oxidation of inorganic compounds in nature is an important component of the general cycle of substances in the biosphere. The relative independence of chemotrophs from the energy of sunlight makes them the only inhabitants of deep-sea depressions and rift zones of the ocean.

Ammonia and hydrogen sulphide, which are processed by these prokaryotes, are poisonous substances. In this case, the value of chemosynthesis is to neutralize these compounds. In science, the term "underground biosphere" is known. It is formed exclusively by organisms that do not need light or oxygen for their life. This unique property is possessed by anaerobic bacteria.

So, in the article, we figured out what chemosynthesis is. The essence of this process is the oxidation of inorganic compounds. Chemosynthetic organisms are some types of prokaryotes: sulfur, iron bacteria and nitrogen fixing.