Some bacteria are metabolically active in hot springs because:

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

When evaluating why some bacteria are metabolically active in hot springs, we need to connect temperature with enzyme function.
Option a: 'they are able to maintain a lower internal temperature.' In thermophilic organisms, the opposite is true—they maintain stability at high temperatures, not a lower internal temperature. This makes the statement incorrect.
Option b: 'high temperatures make catalysis unnecessary.' Elevated temperatures do not eliminate the need for catalysis; enzymes catalyze reactions, and their activity is highly temperature-dependent. At high temperatures, many enzymes would denature if they were not adapted, so this is inaccurate.
Option c: 'their enzymes have high optimal temperatures.' This aligns with what we know about thermophiles: their proteins and enzymes are adapted to function best at elevated temperatures, allowing metabolism to proceed in hot springs. This is the correct idea.
Option d: 'their enzymes are completely insensitive to temperature.' No biological enzyme is completely insensitive to temperature; most have an optimal range and are sensitive to heat or cold. This makes the statement false.
Option e: 'they are able to utilise fermentation rather than aerobic respiration.' While some microorganisms can ferment, hot springs host a variety of metabolisms, including respiration; stating that fermentation is the sole or predominant means is misleading. Therefore this option is not generally correct.
In summary, only option c accurately reflects the reason bacteria remain metabolically active in hot springs—their enzymes have high optimal temperatures, enabling proper catalysis in hot conditions. The other choices misstate enzyme temperature relationships or metabolic flexibility in thermophiles.

Dashboard Enzymes Quiz

Some bacteria are metabolically active in hot springs because:

View Explanation

Log in for full answers

Similar Questions

In a consumer society, many adults channel creativity into buying things

Economic stress and unpredictable times have resulted in a booming industry for self-help products

People born without creativity never can develop it

A product has a selling price of $20, a contribution margin ratio of 40% and fixed cost of $120,000. To make a profit of $30,000. The number of units that must be sold is: Type the number without $ and a comma. Eg: 20000

Which of the following statement regarding cost is correct:

Under the assumptions used in cost-volume-profit analysis, as the activity increases:

The CVP and break-even analysis are supported by a range of important assumptions. Which of the following is not an assumption of the CVP:

The break-even point is that at which:

More Practical Tools for Students Powered by AI Study Helper

Homework AI Solver

Stylized AI Paper Writer

Plagiarism Checker Assistant

Citation AI Academic Writing Tool

In-Class Translation Assistant

AI Note Generator

AI Quiz Answers

Past Exam Questions from University Test Bank

Smart Practice Assistant

Adaptive Practice

Making Your Study Simpler