Chemolithoautotrophy

Chemolithoautotrophy is a way some organisms produce energy by consuming inorganic substances, such as minerals or gases like hydrogen, ammonia, or sulfur compounds. Unlike plants that use sunlight, these microbes derive power directly from chemical reactions involving these inorganic compounds. They then use this energy to convert carbon dioxide from the environment into organic molecules necessary for growth. This process allows these organisms to survive in environments with no sunlight, like deep-sea vents or underground soils, playing a crucial role in Earth's nutrient cycles and supporting other ecosystems.