Which metabolic category best describes Bacteria that act as decomposers?
A) Chemoautotrophy
B) Chemoheterotrophy
C) Photoautotrophy
D) Photoheterotrophy
E) All of these categories apply equally well to Bacterial decomposers.
To determine the metabolic category that best describes Bacteria that act as decomposers, we need to understand each metabolic category and how decomposers obtain energy and nutrients.
A) Chemoautotrophy: This metabolic category involves bacteria that obtain energy from inorganic compounds and use carbon dioxide as their carbon source. They are usually found in environments such as deep-sea hydrothermal vents.
B) Chemoheterotrophy: Bacteria in this metabolic category derive energy from organic compounds and use them as a carbon source. Many decomposer bacteria fall into this category as they obtain energy from breaking down dead organisms or organic waste.
C) Photoautotrophy: Bacteria in this metabolic category can convert light energy into chemical energy and use carbon dioxide as their carbon source. They are typically found in environments with access to sunlight, such as the ocean surface.
D) Photoheterotrophy: Bacteria in this metabolic category can utilize both light energy and organic compounds as sources of energy. They use organic compounds as their carbon source. However, this category is less common among bacteria compared to others.
Based on the different metabolic categories described, the metabolic category that best describes bacteria that act as decomposers is B) Chemoheterotrophy. Decomposers break down organic material for energy and use those organic compounds as their carbon source.
Therefore, the correct answer is B) Chemoheterotrophy.