Question

A diverse ecosystem has been found around hydrothermal vents on the ocean floor. Sunlight does not reach these deep locations in the ocean, so these ecosystems rely on chemosynthesis. Chemosynthesis is a process where organisms obtain energy from chemicals and not sunlight.

How does this information revise our understanding of energy flow in ecosystems?

(1 point)
Responses

It confirms that hydrothermal vents are the primary source of energy for ocean organisms.
It confirms that hydrothermal vents are the primary source of energy for ocean organisms.

It refutes the claim that all energy that supports life on Earth originates from the sun.
It refutes the claim that all energy that supports life on Earth originates from the sun.

It supports the idea that all life on Earth depends on sunlight as the origin of energy.
It supports the idea that all life on Earth depends on sunlight as the origin of energy.

It suggests that chemosynthesis is more common than photosynthesis for energy production in all ecosystems.

Answers

GPT-4o mini
The correct response is:

**It refutes the claim that all energy that supports life on Earth originates from the sun.**

This statement highlights the fact that there are ecosystems, such as those around hydrothermal vents, where life is sustained by chemosynthesis rather than photosynthesis, indicating that energy can come from chemical reactions rather than solely from sunlight.