Card 61 / 112: In 1977, researchers discovered hot springs 2.5 km deep. Surrounding these hot springs were a diverse group of animals including giant tube worms, giant clams, and mussels. The researchers found that the food web began with a bacterial species. The sun's rays can only penetrate approximately 300 m below the surface of water; therefore, the bacteria were not photosynthesizing. Instead the bacteria used hydrogen-sulfide from the hot springs to make their own food. These bacteria would be considered which of the following?
A) Consumers
B) Autotrophs
C) Heterotrophs
D) Photosynthesizers

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