26-06-2005, 11:45 PM
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wrote:
Well, if the reaction is the usual one in photosynthesis, where a photon
is the energy source, even if it isn't a photon of human-visible light,
I think we'd probably have to call it photosynthesis. There are lots of
ways of acquiring usable energy from temperature differences, including
steam engines, etc, but I don't think any living organisms use them. If
anyone knows of one, please correct me! I suppose a deep ocean vent,
where water at 4C is adjacent to water at 350C would be a place to look
for such bizarre and hard to imagine adaptations.
I'm very curious to know more about these bacteria, and whether energy
from this light source is a significant source of energy to them, or an
adjunct to the well-known chemosynthesis based on oxidizing H2S popular
with Archaeobacteria in unusual environments. I hope Ivan can provide
us with some sources of information.
I'm curious also. I don't think they would be able to do photosynthesis
and chemosynthesis, it seems too complex for a bacteria. In order to
keep things simple it probably only uses one source of energy and, if it
gives too little energy than it would have another constraints on itself
that would allow it to live with little energy. But i could be entirely
wrong as all i know is high school biology.
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