Science·Ocean Life·conceptual
Deep-Sea Life Without Sunlight
Contrast photosynthesis (energy from sunlight) with chemosynthesis (energy from oxidising chemicals like hydrogen sulphide); describe hydrothermal vent communities: chemoautotrophic bacteria form the base of a food web supporting tube worms, giant clams, and vent crabs with no sunlight; explore what deep-sea life tells us about the origin of life on Earth; explain why NASA studies ocean vents as analogues for potential life around hydrothermal activity on Europa and Enceladus
Suggested ages 11–13
Evidence of understanding
No evidence statements are recorded.
Assessment prompt
Can Deep-Sea Life Without Sunlight describe a community of animals living at the bottom of the ocean that gets its energy from volcanic chemicals rather than sunlight — and explain why scientists are excited about what this might mean for life on other planets?
Standards alignment
No external standards are linked to this topic.