Question

Microbiology question.

The metabolism of anaerobic ciliates has just been elucidated and it shows a chain of commensal reactions. Draw a diagram and describe this chain of commensalism where the products of one prokaryote in the ciliate are used by the next. The prokaryotes involved are a methanogen, a hydrogenosome prokaryote, 2 different sulphate reducing bacteria and a methanotroph. (Hint: start with the products of the host ciliate fermenting bacterial prey).

Answer 1

Ciliates are single celled organisms. They possess cilia, short hair like organelles used for locomotion and food gathering.Anaerobic ciliates, the name itself tells these are living in the absence of oxygen, that means incapable of using oxidative phosphorylation in their energy metabolism. Instead of mitochondria they contain HYDROGENOSOMES , organelles that produce hydrogen &ATP. Several ciliate species produce hydrogen as waste product those are endo symbiotic methanogenic bacteria.

From the question it tells anaerobic ciliates shows commensalism. It is one form of symbiotic relationship. This is relationship between individuals of two species in which one can benefit and other neither benefit nor harm.

Anashobic envisonment with elecbon acceptos Anawnolaic envi son ment with altexnatiuc electron - availaole Complux moleculs a CCoptoss acdhandes, tupid S pooteins ycholyia OnO Fattyaci ds al Formati Sugans, anino acids metth Gra Lactalt CH Solfati-reduction on redudti on i bat zeduction

These single celled ciliates live in places where oxygen is scarce or non-existent and use hydrogenosome instead of mitochondria to produce ATP. Mitochondria do not function with little or no oxygen, but these are able to produce ATP without oxygen.

Methanogens are microorganisms produce methane as metabolic byproduct.

Sulfate reducing bateria can obtain energy by oxidizing organic compounds while reducing sulfate to hydrogen sulphide. In a sense, these organisms breathe sulfate rather than oxygen by anaerobic respiration.