These processes are also important in biological responses to pollution; for example, sulfate-reducing bacteria are largely responsible for the production of the highly toxic forms of mercury (methyl- and dimethylmercury) in the environment. Non-respiratory anaerobes use fermentation to generate energy and reducing power, secreting metabolic by-products (such as ethanol in brewing) as waste. Facultative anaerobes can switch between fermentation and different terminal electron acceptors depending on the environmental conditions in which they find themselves. COUNT 3
QSN1 What is sulfate-reducing bacteria accountable for? ANS1 the production of the highly toxic forms of mercury QSN2 What is the by-product of non-repiratory anaerobes? ANS2 ethanol QSN3 How can anaerobes adjust to the surrounding environment? ANS3 can switch between fermentation and different terminal electron acceptors