Chemosynthesis

Here goes Hanbaobao's Science class: Well, U all know what is photosynthesis.. Chemosynthesis is right the direct opposite. Simple enough? U CANT get any more simplier than that?!

If you think u've got more brain cells to kill, I've got wiki's definition of it below..

Hydrothermal Vents on Earth

In biochemistry, chemosynthesis is the biological conversion of one or more carbon molecules (usually carbon dioxide or methane) and nutrients into organic matter using the oxidation of inorganic molecules (e.g. hydrogen gas, hydrogen sulfide) or methane as a source of energy, rather than sunlight, as in photosynthesis. Chemoautotrophs, organisms that obtain carbon through chemosynthesis, are phylogenetically diverse, but groups that include conspicuous or biogeochemically-important taxa include the sulfur-oxidizing gamma and epsilon proteobacteria, the Aquificaeles, the Methanogenic archaea and the neutrophilic iron-oxidizing bacteria.

Many microorganisms in dark regions of the oceans use chemosynthesis to produce biomass from single carbon molecules. Two categories can be distinguished. In the rare sites at which hydrogen molecules (H2) are available, the energy available from the reaction between CO2 and H2 (leading to production of methane, CH4) can be large enough to drive the production of biomass. Alternatively, in most oceanic environments, energy for chemosynthesis derives from reactions between O2 and substances such as hydrogen sulfide or ammonia. In this second case, the chemosynthetic microorganisms are dependent on photosynthesis which occurs elsewhere and which produces the O2 that they require.

Many chemosynthetic microorganisms are consumed by other organisms in the ocean, and symbiotic associations between chemosynthesizers and respiring heterotrophs are quite common. Large populations of animals can be supported by chemosynthetic primary production at hydrothermal vents, methane clathrates, cold seeps, and whale falls.
It has been hypothesized that chemosynthesis may support life below the surface of Mars, Jupiter's moon Europa, and other planets.
--> Hydrogen sulfide chemosynthesis: CO2 + O2 + 4H2S → CH2O + 4S + 3H2O

what the f**k... I thought I'll never see this kinda equation again... Reason for my post? Scientist found large mass of water (ocean) in Jupiter's moon..!
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/11/091116-jupiter-moon-life-europa-fish.html