This Worm's Gut Has No Way In or Out | Summary and Q&A

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March 7, 2020
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This Worm's Gut Has No Way In or Out

TL;DR

Giant tube worms called Riftia pachyptila live in deep-sea hydrothermal vents, surviving in a hostile habitat without a mouth or anus by relying on symbiotic bacteria for food.

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Key Insights

  • 🦧 The giant tube worm, Riftia pachyptila, lives in hydrothermal vents deep in the ocean without a gut opening.
  • πŸ‘» The tube worm's plume acts like a gill, allowing it to extract hydrogen sulfide from the vent water.
  • πŸ˜‹ Symbiotic bacteria inside the worm's trophosome convert the toxic vent water chemicals into food through chemosynthesis.
  • πŸͺ± The tube worms obtain their bacterial partners through a bacterial infection when they are larvae.
  • πŸ˜‹ When hydrothermal vents stop venting, the tube worms die due to the loss of their bacteria's food source.
  • πŸ˜‹ The distance between vents poses a mystery about how the worm larvae travel without a food source.
  • πŸ₯Ί The discovery of giant tube worms has led to the identification of chemosynthetic communities in various ecosystems worldwide.

Transcript

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Questions & Answers

Q: How do giant tube worms survive without a gut opening?

Giant tube worms rely on symbiotic bacteria living inside their trophosome to convert the toxic vent water chemicals into food through chemosynthesis. They don't need a mouth or anus because the bacteria produce enough food for them.

Q: How do giant tube worms obtain their bacterial partners?

The bacteria enter the tube worm's skin when it is still a larva, causing a bacterial infection. This strange process ensures that the worms have their personal chefs that produce food inside their bodies.

Q: What happens when the hydrothermal vents stop venting?

When the vents stop venting, the tube worms die because their bacteria's food source gets cut off. The distance between vents can be several miles, making it unclear how the worm larvae travel without a food source.

Q: How has the discovery of giant tube worms impacted our understanding of life on Earth?

The discovery of giant tube worms and their unique way of obtaining food has led to the identification of chemosynthetic communities in various ecosystems around the world. It has redefined our understanding of how life can thrive in extreme environments.

Summary & Key Takeaways

  • Riftia pachyptila is a giant tube worm that lives in hydrothermal vents deep in the ocean without a gut opening.

  • The worm's plume acts like a gill, with blood vessels full of hemoglobin that help transport hydrogen sulfide from the vent water to the trophosome.

  • Inside the trophosome, symbiotic bacteria convert the vent water chemicals into food through chemosynthesis, providing a food source for the worm.

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