Which energy-based process uses chemical energy to produce carbohydrates?

• A. Photosynthesis
• B. Chemosynthesis
• C. Glycolysis
• D. Fermentation

Answer: (B)

Chemosynthesis uses chemical energy to synthesize carbohydrates. In this process, certain microbes harvest energy from the oxidation of inorganic molecules (like hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, or ferrous iron) and use that energy to fix carbon dioxide into organic molecules such as carbohydrates. This allows life to thrive in environments where light isn’t available, such as deep-sea vents, because the energy source is chemical, not solar.

This differs from photosynthesis, which relies on light energy to drive carbohydrate production, not chemical energy. Glycolysis and fermentation involve breaking down or converting sugars that are already present to extract energy; they do not use chemical energy to build new carbohydrates from inorganic carbon sources.