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1. Could a microbe use the processes below to live? Write your answer out in ful

ID: 3166109 • Letter: 1

Question

1. Could a microbe use the processes below to live? Write your answer out in full essay format. For each you must a) check that the reaction is balanced, b) calculate the delta G of the reaction and c) compare the delta G with the energy of formation for one mole of ATP. How to do that was explained in your video lecture set on metabolism. b. CO2 + 8H2-CH4 H20 C. CH4 + O2-+ CO2 + H2O 2. For each of the reactions given above, what are the electron donating molecules, and what are the electron accepting molecules? (Hint, one for each, always on the reactant side of the reaction).

Explanation / Answer

The above reactions can be used by microbes for energy production.

a. heterotrophic microrganism: that use organic carbon as energy source e.g E.coli

C6H12O6 electron donor

O2 electron acceptor

b. Methanogens are microbes that produce methane in anoxic conditions. Archaebacteria

CO2- electron donor

H2- Electron acceptor

c. Methanotrophs are microbes that oxidise methane to obtain energy e.g. Pseudomonas aeroginosa.

CH4- electron donor

O2- Electron acceptor