Microbial growth on the two-carbon acetate substrate invokes
A) the citric acid cycle for aerobic catabolism.
B) both the citric acid and glyoxylate pathways.
C) the glyoxylate pathway.
D) the glyoxylate and glycolysis pathways.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Microbial growth on acetate or other two-carbon compounds typically involves both the citric acid cycle and the glyoxylate pathway. The glyoxylate pathway is a variation of the citric acid cycle that allows organisms to convert acetyl-CoA (derived from acetate) into glucose and other carbohydrates, which is not possible through the citric acid cycle alone. This dual pathway approach enables microbes to utilize acetate both for energy production (via the citric acid cycle) and for biosynthesis (via the glyoxylate pathway).

Microbial Growth on the Two-Carbon Acetate Substrate Invokes