Question

A newly described bacterial species has been shown to use CO₂ as its carbon source. Its energy source and its source of reducing power (electrons) are inorganic chemicals. Which term would best describe this nutritional type?

1) Chemolithoheterotroph
2) Photoorganoheterotroph
3) Photolithoheterotroph
4) Chemolithoatotroph

Answer 1

Option (4), The newly described bacterial species that uses CO₂ for carbon and inorganic chemicals as its energy source would be termed a Chemolithoautotroph.

Step-by-step explanation:

The bacterial species described as using CO₂ as its carbon source and inorganic chemicals as both its energy source and source of reducing power (electrons) would best be classified as a Chemolithoautotroph.

This term is derived from 'chemo-' indicating that the organism obtains energy from chemical sources, 'litho-' meaning it uses inorganic substances (like hydrogen sulfide or reduced iron) for this purpose, and 'autotroph' highlighting that it uses inorganic carbon dioxide as its carbon source.