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Deep-Sea Life Without Sunlight

CONCEPTUAL
Science›Ocean Life|Ages 11—13|ID: mt_6Wx--Du8j3

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

Mastery Evidence

    Assessment Prompt

    “Can [child] 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?”

    Prerequisites1

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    • Deep-Sea Creatures hard

      Chemosynthesis as energy base of vent communities depends on deep sea and bioluminescence

      • Ocean Animal Adaptations hard

        Deep sea adaptations extend general adaptation concept to extreme conditions

      • Ocean Depth Zones hard

        Deep sea life builds on knowing ocean zones, especially the midnight zone

      • The Ocean Floor soft

        Deep sea life lives on the ocean floor; terrain knowledge enriches understanding

        • What Is the Ocean? hard

          Ocean floor concept requires knowing the ocean is vast and deep

        • Ocean Depth Zones soft

          Ocean floor is the bottom of the deepest zone; zone knowledge enriches it

    Unlocks1