What are chemosynthetic autotrophs?
Chemosynthetic autotrophs are the organisms which can synthesise their food from inorganic substances. e.g. Some bacteria are capable of oxidising inorganic substances like nitrates, nitrites and ammonia. The energy released during the oxidation process of these substances is utilised to synthesise ATP molecules. These bchemosynthetic bacteria play an important role in maintaining certain biogeochemical cycles in the environment (Nitrogen cycle, Sulphur cycle, Phosphorous cycle).