Question

select the correct answer. which organism forms the primary source of food for a deep - sea community at

a. phytoplankton

b. zooplankton

c. all pelagic organisms

d. giant tube worms

e. chemosynthetic bacteria

Explanation:

In deep - sea communities, especially around hydrothermal vents, chemosynthetic bacteria are the primary producers. They use chemical energy (such as from hydrogen sulfide) to synthesize organic compounds through chemosynthesis. Phytoplankton are primary producers in sun - lit surface waters (using photosynthesis), zooplankton are consumers, pelagic organisms include a wide range of consumers and producers (but not the main primary source in deep - sea communities), and giant tube worms often have symbiotic relationships with chemosynthetic bacteria (they are not the primary producers themselves).

Answer:

E. chemosynthetic bacteria