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In both the Pacific and the Atlantic Oceans, there are places where hot magma under the sea floor causes cracks in the Earth's crust. Sea water seeps into these holes, only to be forced out as mineral rich, warmed geysers into the cold, oxygen rich, deep ocean water. These unique springs are known as hydrothermal vents.
The water springing from the vents is rich in hydrogen sulfide, the same compound which gives rotten eggs their distinctive odor. Although not a very attractive source of food, some tiny free-living bacteria located near the vents think otherwise. In a process akin to the way in which green plants use the power of sunlight for photosynthesis, these bacteria utilize the hydrogen sulfide emitted from the vent as a source of energy to convert carbon dioxide from the surrounding sea water into sugars that they need for growth.
The hydrothermal vents are also inhabited by bizarre creatures which appear like thick-stemmed tulips up to 3 meters long with bright red plumes. These tube worms, Riftia pachyptila, have no mouth or gut. Instead, their red plume rimmed with blood vessels reaches into the vent waters. Oxygen, carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide bind to carrier molecules in the blood. As the heart pumps, these three compounds are delivered to a very specialized tissue which contains densely packed bacteria. In return for a stable environment in which to live, the bacteria provide Riftia with all the organic compounds required for growth. The association of two different living entities is called symbiosis. In this instance, it can be said that the tube worms provide housing, and the bacteria pay rent.
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How can some organisms survive without sunlight?
Nocturnal animals can see without light. They usually prefer to come out after the sun goes down and some use vibrations to see instead of eyesight.
Are tube worms herbivore?
yes they are
What is an example of a natural and an artificial plasma?
natural plasma- sunlight, artificial plasma- tube light
How do the cell membrane of a tube worms maintains a stable environment?
It prevents minerals in the water from flowing into the cell. :) xoxo
How is parapodia different from tube feet?
Parapodia are paired appendages found on polychetes, or marine worms, which are used for movement. Tube feet are found on echinoderms, like sea stars, which are also used for movement.
How are the tube worms able to survive?
It does not. It does not have predators in the deep sea.
How do tube worms survive in such inhospitable area?
they digest food then lets it out
Which zone do tube worms live in?
the tube worms live in the abyssopelagic zone which is in the ocean.
How can some organisms survive without sunlight?
Nocturnal animals can see without light. They usually prefer to come out after the sun goes down and some use vibrations to see instead of eyesight.
Do tube worms have backbones?
No worms have backbones. They are all invertebrates.
What is the giant tube worms adaptation?
,
Is there a light source of the sea?
Yes, it is the vents in the trenches of the ocean floor. these produce high temps and gas in which species may live such as tube worms without the use of sunlight. many scientist believe that this may actually be where life first emerged as the sunlight was not important in their metabolism. Or possibly the static generated by the atmosphere that causes masts and rigging to glow with St. Elmo's Fire.
What eats a tubeworm?
Tube worms shoot silky looking netting onto coral, which makes fish tanks very unattractive. Copperbanded butterfly fish will usually eat tube worms. Wrasse and Dottyback fish will also eat tube worms.
What live plant lives in the hadal zone?
tube worms. trust me, it was found by the Shinghi 6500.
Do giant tube worms live on land?
njnhjuuih
Do tube worms live in the ocean?
yea probably
What kind of worms are descirbed as a tube within a tube?
heartworms which are also apart of the catogory roundworms
