Final answer:
Chemoautotrophic organisms adapt to harsh conditions near hydrothermal vents by using energy from chemicals. They form a food chain with other vent species and rely on chemosynthesis instead of photosynthesis for energy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The insanely weird creatures that live near hydrothermal vents on the ocean floor are called chemoautotrophic organisms. These organisms have adapted to the harsh environment by using energy stored in the chemicals released by the vents. They form the base of a food chain that includes other species such as tube worms, ghost fish, and crabs.
Unlike most organisms that rely on sunlight and photosynthesis for energy, these creatures obtain energy through chemosynthesis. Chemosynthetic bacteria use the chemicals in the vent water to produce organic compounds that provide energy for themselves and other organisms in the ecosystem.
The interactions between the various vent species are complex and include predator-prey relationships, competition for resources, and symbiotic associations. For example, tube worms have bacteria living inside their bodies that help them break down toxic minerals and provide nutrients.