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Multiple Choice
The Desulfovibrio bacterium breaks down organic matter (which it must have) and uses sulfate (not oxygen) as an electron acceptor. As a result, it produces hydrogen sulfide (H2S), accounting for the "rotten egg" smell of swamp muck. Oxygen is a deadly poison to Desulfovibrio. We would call Desulfovibrio a(n) __________.
A
facultative aerobic chemoheterotroph
B
facultative anaerobic chemoautotroph
C
obligate anaerobic chemoautotroph
D
There is insufficient information to answer this question.
E
obligate anaerobic chemoheterotroph
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the terms: 'obligate anaerobic' means the organism cannot survive in the presence of oxygen, and 'chemoheterotroph' means it obtains energy by consuming organic compounds.
Identify the electron acceptor: Desulfovibrio uses sulfate as an electron acceptor instead of oxygen, indicating it is anaerobic.
Recognize the energy source: Desulfovibrio breaks down organic matter, which classifies it as a chemoheterotroph.
Consider the oxygen requirement: Since oxygen is deadly to Desulfovibrio, it is obligate anaerobic.
Combine the characteristics: Desulfovibrio is an obligate anaerobic chemoheterotroph because it cannot tolerate oxygen and uses organic matter for energy.