What are chemoautotrophs?

Here are some questions I can answer:

1. What are chemoautotrophs?

2. What 'fuels' chemoautotrophs?

3. Are chemoautotrophs important in Biology? Why?

Here are the answers:

1. Organisms that produce energy by chemosynthesis, oxidation of mineral(rarely organic) substances

2. The energy source for chemosynthesis comes from the oxidation rection of the mineral substance, not the substance itself.

3. Play an essential role in nature, by completing the circuits of many elements in nature(C,N,S). Nitrifying bacteria geive plants the N nutrients they need.

Since this is not my area of expertise, I searched Google under the key words "chemoautotrophs" to get these possible sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemotroph
http://www.daviddarling.info/encyclopedia/C/chemoauto.html

I hope this helps a little more. Thanks for asking.

this was copied off another site if i'm correct.

Chemoautotrophs are organisms that produce energy through the process of chemosynthesis. Unlike photoautotrophs, which use sunlight as their energy source, chemoautotrophs use chemical reactions to produce energy. They typically obtain energy by oxidizing inorganic substances such as minerals, rather than organic compounds.

To understand more about chemoautotrophs, you can refer to reliable sources such as the ones listed below:

1. Wikipedia: The Wikipedia article on chemoautotrophs provides a detailed explanation of what chemoautotrophs are, how they obtain energy, and their importance in various ecosystems. You can find this article by searching for "chemoautotroph" on Wikipedia.

2. Encyclopedias or textbooks: Many biology encyclopedias or textbooks contain information about chemoautotrophs. Look for sections or chapters on microbial ecology, energy production in organisms, or specific ecosystems where chemoautotrophs are prominent.

By consulting reputable sources, you can gain a deeper understanding of chemoautotrophs and their role in biological systems.