Question

What is the word for having a specific nutrient to grow for bacteria?

1) Autotrophic
2) Heterotrophic
3) Aerobic
4) Anaerobic

Answer 1

The term for bacteria that require specific organic nutrients to grow is 'heterotrophic.' Heterotrophs are different from autotrophs, which can synthesize their own food. Bacteria are essential in ecosystems for recycling nutrients and can form mutualistic relationships with other organisms.

Step-by-step explanation:

The word for having a specific nutrient to grow for bacteria is heterotrophic. This means that bacteria rely on organic compounds as food, to provide energy and carbon. Heterotrophs, including humans, differ from autotrophs because they cannot produce their own food from inorganic sources and must consume organic material from other organisms.

Bacteria that are heterotrophic often require additional nutritional components, such as vitamins, that need to be added to their growth media. In contrast, autotrophic bacteria, like certain phototrophs, can synthesize their own food using processes such as photosynthesis or chemosynthesis. For example, cyanobacteria are photoautotrophs that use sunlight to create their own food. Bacteria that require oxygen for growth are termed aerobic, whereas those that do not are called anaerobic. Some bacteria, known as facultative anaerobes, can exist in both aerobic and anaerobic conditions.

Bacteria play important roles in ecosystems, such as recycling nutrients and forming mutualistic relationships with other organisms. Photosynthetic bacteria, like cyanobacteria, are responsible for producing oxygen and organic materials that support aquatic food webs. Chemosynthetic bacteria, on the other hand, convert inorganic compounds into organic material, providing a foundation for ecosystems without sunlight.

Answer 2

The term for bacteria requiring a specific nutrient to grow is heterotrophic (Option 2)

Step-by-step explanation:

The term for having a specific nutrient to grow for bacteria is heterotrophic. There are three main nutritional types of bacteria: autotrophic, heterotrophic, and chemotrophic. Autotrophs, like plants, algae, and some bacteria (for instance, cyanobacteria), can produce their own food through photosynthesis and are considered photoautotrophs. Heterotrophic bacteria, which include many human pathogens, rely on organic compounds as their source of energy and nutrients. Chemoautotrophic bacteria derive energy from inorganic compounds.

When culturing bacteria, factors like temperature, pH, and atmospheric gases are controlled. Oxygen presence affects their classification as aerobic (requiring oxygen) or anaerobic (not requiring oxygen). Additionally, bacteria can also help maintain ecological balance through processes such as nitrogen fixation and decomposition, which are vital for nutrient cycling.

Thus, the correct answer is option 2.