carbon recycling

Question 1

Which group of microbes plays a central role in the decomposition of organic matter, releasing carbon back into the environment?

Answer 1

hetertrophic bacteria and fungi

Question 2

where is cyanobacterial (photoautotroph) found?
-function

Answer 2

freshwater and marine environemnets as part of phytoplankton
-oxygenate earths atmosphere via photosynthesis

Question 3

what cyanobacterial create through fixation of atmospheric co2?

Answer 3

1) generation of energy

2) assimilated of co2 through calvin cycle.
enzyme RuBisCO binds co2 in specialised micro compartment called carboxysomes which co2 is concentrated.

Question 4

impacts of climate change on oceans
1) rising temperatures
2) increases surface runoff of nutrients and a example

Answer 4

1) -affect water salinity
-affects wind/ temperatures

2) - increases cyanbacterial blooms e.g. the dead zone in gulf of mexico

Question 5

where are lithoautotrophs (microbrial fixer of co2) found and how does severe environmental acidifcication occur

Answer 5

found in deep oceans and fix co2 in anaerobic conditions

lithotrophs (rock eaters)
hydrogen sulphide—-> sulphuric acid =
severe environmental acidification

Question 6

how is the marine environment as good carbon sink (fixer of co2)

Answer 6

due to limited decomposition of microorangism in ocean depth due to limited oxygen

Question 7

in the mammalian gut what is the end product of microbrial activity
-what do secondary degradors make?

Answer 7

-methane
-butyrate

Question 8

symbiosis role of digestion in termite gut
-diet
-what gut contains
-co2 and hydrogen produced during fermentation consumed by to make…?

Answer 8

diet= indigestable wood
gut contains protist (mixotricha paradoxa)
co2 and hydrogen produced during fermenation consumed by methanogens to make methane

Question 9

how are microbes helping our fuel crisis
(biofuel production)
-advanatge and disadvantage
-example of brazil

Answer 9

by- products of microbrial fermentation is production of bioethanol (can be used for fuel)
advantages - renewable
disadvantages- requires energy input

example- 1970 brazil began commensal prodcution of bioethanol from suagr cane. now >46% of world supply