Which of the following is a characteristic of chemosynthetic autotrophs?

Chemosynthetic autotrophs are organisms that derive their energy from chemical reactions, specifically through the oxidation of inorganic substances. This unique metabolic pathway enables them to synthesize organic compounds from carbon dioxide without the need for sunlight. Unlike photosynthetic organisms, which use light energy to drive the synthesis of glucose, chemosynthetic autotrophs rely on energy obtained from chemical reactions involving molecules like hydrogen sulfide, methane, or ammonia.

Understanding the modes of energy acquisition highlights the diversity of life and the various strategies organisms employ to thrive in different environments, such as deep-sea hydrothermal vents where sunlight is absent. This fundamental characteristic sets chemosynthetic autotrophs apart from other organisms, such as heterotrophs that depend on other life forms for nutrients and phototrophs that utilize sunlight for energy.