Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first video
Multiple Choice
What do methanogens use as their electron acceptor for anaerobic respiration?
A
Nitrate
B
Oxygen
C
Sulfate
D
Carbon dioxide
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the concept of anaerobic respiration: Anaerobic respiration is a type of respiration that occurs without oxygen. Organisms that perform anaerobic respiration use other molecules as electron acceptors.
Identify the role of methanogens: Methanogens are a group of microorganisms that produce methane as a byproduct of their metabolism. They are typically found in anaerobic environments.
Recognize the electron acceptor used by methanogens: Methanogens use carbon dioxide (CO₂) as their electron acceptor during anaerobic respiration. This process involves the reduction of CO₂ to methane (CH₄).
Compare with other electron acceptors: In anaerobic respiration, different organisms use different electron acceptors. For example, some bacteria use nitrate (NO₃⁻) or sulfate (SO₄²⁻) as electron acceptors, but methanogens specifically use CO₂.
Summarize the process: Methanogens convert CO₂ into methane through a series of biochemical reactions, which is a key part of their energy metabolism in anaerobic conditions.