Where do chemosynthetic bacteria obtain their energy?

• A. From absorbing heat from their environment
• B. From the oxidation of inorganic molecules
• C. From the breakdown of organic compounds
• D. From sunlight through photosynthesis

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that chemosynthetic bacteria are organisms that produce their own food by obtaining energy from chemical reactions, rather than from sunlight as in photosynthesis.
2. Recognize that unlike photosynthetic organisms, chemosynthetic bacteria do not rely on light energy but instead use energy derived from the oxidation of inorganic molecules.
3. Identify common inorganic molecules used by chemosynthetic bacteria for energy, such as hydrogen sulfide (H\_2S), ammonia (NH\_3), or ferrous iron (Fe\^{2+}).
4. Recall that the process involves the bacteria oxidizing these inorganic substances, which releases energy that they use to fix carbon dioxide (CO\_2) into organic compounds.
5. Conclude that the correct source of energy for chemosynthetic bacteria is the oxidation of inorganic molecules, not heat absorption, breakdown of organic compounds, or sunlight.