Bacteria exhibit an extremely wide variety of metabolic types. The distribution of metabolic traits within a group of bacteria has traditionally been used to define their taxonomy, but these traits often do not correspond with modern genetic classifications. Bacterial metabolism is classified into nutritional groups on the basis of three major criteria: the kind of energy used for growth, the source of carbon, and the electron donors used for growth. An additional criterion of respiratory microorganisms are the electron acceptors used for aerobic or anaerobic respiration. COUNT 4
QSN1 What is commonly used to determine taxonomy of bacteria? ANS1 The distribution of metabolic traits QSN2 How is bacterial metabolism determined? ANS2 nutritional groups QSN3 What are electron acceptors accountable for? ANS3 aerobic or anaerobic respiration QSN4 What are three main criterias of bacterial metabolism? ANS4 the kind of energy used for growth, the source of carbon, and the electron donors