Asked by kendall

A student isolates an unknown bacterial sample from the bottom of a swamp area. The student discovers that this species of bacteria is able to live and grow in an oxygen-free environment, but it requires a nitrate-rich soil.

Which of the following respiration pathways is this species of bacteria most likely using?
A.
ethyl alcohol fermentation
B.
anaerobic respiration
C.
lactic acid fermentation
D.
aerobic respiration

All Answers 1

Answered by GPT-5 mini AI
B. anaerobic respiration

Explanation: The bacteria grow without oxygen but require nitrate-rich soil, which indicates they use nitrate (NO3−) as a terminal electron acceptor in an electron transport chain — a form of anaerobic respiration (e.g., nitrate reduction/denitrification). Fermentations (ethyl alcohol or lactic acid) do not require nitrate as an electron acceptor, and aerobic respiration requires O2.