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... e used for medicines. The discovery of hydrothermal vents have presented us with a possible explanation for the origin of life as well as life on other planets. Many of the minerals that develop there could be minded safely and used by humans (Chu).
In addition to these, there are many more reasons why vents are, and are potently important to humans. Introduction to Tube Worms Up until recently it was thought that nothing could ever live at hydrothermal vent sites. The vents hostile conditions present many challenging obstacles for the organisms that inhabit it. Some of these include the objective of gathering food, withstand poisonous toxins, excruciating pressure, unbearable temperatures, and the ability to reproduce. One of the best specimens to represent vent organisms is the Tube Worm. Basic Biology The giant tube worm (Lamellibrachia) is a unique marine species that not only withstands but thrives upon some of the harshest conditions that our planet possesses.
To better understand the circumstances in which the tube worms live, it is best to get a basic background knowledge on this worms biology. This creature has six basic parts: The plume which takes in gasses and minerals vital for survival, the opisthosome which helps regulate temperature, the tube which serves as a shell for the animal, the trunk which is essentially a waste storage compartment, the trophosome which makes the gasses into food and the vestment um that holds the egg and sperm, heart and brain and provides a safe passage for blood (Tyson). In addition, bacteria that are born in the tube worms cells are an important part of this organisms digestive system (Mr. McGuinness). These vital features work together to keep this unusual creature alive under such rigorous conditions. Adaptations The tube worm has adapted to the hydrothermal vents harsh conditions and evolved into a creature that has no digestion track, no eyes and no mouth (Eleganis).
This creature depends solely on the existence of the bacteria that is pushed out of the hydrothermal vents, and with there symbiotic relationship diminishes the purpose for these origins. This bacteria, in groups of thousands fill the cells of the tube worm and convert the chemicals that come out of the hydrothermal vents into food for the worm. This chemical based food making system is called chemosynthesis. This system involves the tube worm sucking in hydrogen sulfide, oxygen and carbon dioxide through its red plume. The bacteria in the trophosome then uses these compounds to make carbohydrates to help nourish this animal (Tyson). While sucking in these minerals, the tube worm is also sucking in poisonous gasses with it.
The tube worm has adapted well to the toxic gasses that surround it daily. It has created a system in which it regulates the amount of hydrogen sulfide and other deadly metals in its body. This worm expels these harmful elements into its mucus which is discarded. Eventually, all left over waste is stored in the worms trunk and left there for the remainder of its life (Tyson). Protection against poisonous gasses is not the only use for the tube, it also helps shield the worm from harsh temperatures. Tube worms not only have to deal with the excruciatingly cold temperatures that surrounds its head but the scalding hot temperatures that surrounds its trunk, which often sits inches from hot magma.
This animal has adapted, and actually thrives on these temperatures (Its ideal temperature being 100 F) (Pennisi). The tube worm is protected from cold temperatures by staying securely in its tube, the hard shell that protects the organism. This way, the worm is shielded from the constant movement of freezing cold water around it (Tyson). When in such depth, temperature is only one of the drastic conditions an organism must deal with, pressure is also a factor. The tube worm must deal with a pressure so great that if a human reached that level they would die instantly. In fact, it must deal with a constant 3, 350 (or more) pounds of pressure (per square inch) on its body continually (Eleganis).
This animal has adapted to this great pressure by eliminating any air space in its body (Tyson). The tube worm has altered its body, and systems in other ways to adjust to the conditions at the hydrothermal vet, one of the most unusual adapted systems is its method of reproducing. The tube worm has adapted to an unusual way of reproduction just to survive. In the vestimentum the organism holds its reproductive pores. The worm releases its egg or sperm during spawning and these combine in water to bring forth offspring (Tyson). In order to colonize other vent sites and keep the species alive, thousands of the tube worm larvae are carried in plumes created by a mix of temperatures to other vent locations through the current (Romone).
Conclusion Hydrothermal vents, extraordinary structural giants that erupts from the deep ocean floor are an excellent host to hundreds of bottom dwelling creatures. Its violent conditions and odd locations are no match for the spread of life, and there persists a colony of bizarre animals that have adapted to every rigorous situation. Though the existence of life may fade with the cooling lava, nearby structures will spring to life and life will inhabit yet another vent. And who knows what we will find there next Works Cited Chu, Jonathan.
What are Deep Sea Hydrothermal Vents? 28 Oct 2001. web Eleganis, C. Biochemical Adaptations of Marine Invertebrates to Hydrogen Sulfide. Major Projects, 17 Oct 2001. web Ebay, Katie. Hydrothermal Circulation.
Ocean Adventure. 15 Oct 2001. web Gramm, John. Hydrothermal Environments on the Ocean Floor. March 1999. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 18 Oct 2001. web hydrothermal.
htm McGuinness. October 30 2001. Cambridge Ring and Latin High school. Pennisi, Elizabeth. Erotic Deep Sea Lifestyle. January 1997.
Science. 17 Oct 2001. web Tyson, Peter. Into the Abyss. NOVA. 19 Oct 2001.
web Romone, Jason. Colonizing the deep sea. 9 May 2001. Science News Daily. October 2001. web
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