Question

Given the metabolism of different bacteria, you will need to identify the type of metabolism (glycolysis, photosynthesis, aerobic respiration, pentose phosphate pathway, etc.) being performed and/or their nutritional classification.

There is no specific bacteria, but as an example to how it would work

Answer 1

Any bacteria regardless of its metabolism pathways always depends on the type of nutrients that is being provided to the bacterium. Considering simple sugars like glucose are readily metabolized by the glycolysis pathway. For the generation of energy the bacteria may use kreb's cycle and generate acetyl CoA. Most importantly, in deficiency of glucose the bacteria can also revert the mechanism of glycolysis through which it generates glucose from pyruvate. which is known as the gluconeogenesis. Pentose phosphate pathway is another fate of glucose which generates some important sugars like ribose which are further incorporated in the DNA molecule.

Photosynthesis is the making of carbon dioxide and water with the help pf sunlight. Certain bacteria do have the ability of photosynthesis. A very well known example being of cyanobacteria which is also known as blue green algae has an important role in photosynthesis. They are the only prokaryotes to be able to reduce oxygen.

Furthermore, based on their survival instincts bacteria can be classified as aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. Amongst them, the anaerobic bacteria can not utilize oxygen as the terminal electron acceptor. Once the intermediates or the terminal products of the pathways are provided it is very easy to deduce the source which the bacteria must have utilized.