Prescott's Microbiology
Prescott's Microbiology
10th Edition
ISBN: 9781259281594
Author: Joanne Willey, Linda Sherwood Adjunt Professor Lecturer, Christopher J. Woolverton Professor
Publisher: McGraw-Hill Education
bartleby

Concept explainers

bartleby

Videos

Textbook Question
Book Icon
Chapter 12, Problem 1CHI

What would happen if a microorganism that depended on the glyoxylate cycle no longer produced the enzyme isocitrate lyase? Could this defect be corrected by nutrients in the media? If so, which nutrients?

Expert Solution & Answer
Check Mark
Summary Introduction

The glyoxylate cycle is a pathway in which the acetyl-CoA is converted to succinate, for the synthesis of carbohydrates. This cycle is similar to the tricarboxylic (TCA) cycle, but certain steps in the TCA cycle are bypassed. Initial and final steps are similar for both cycles. The final result of the glyoxylate cycle is glucose production from fatty acids.

Explanation of Solution

Isocitrate lyase is an enzyme involved in the glyoxylate cycle. Isocitrate lyase (ICL) enzyme cleaves the isocitrate into glyoxylate and succinate. The micro-organisms that undergo glyoxylate cycle use isocitrate lyase and malate synthase in order to synthesize glucose, and also its metabolic intermediates. When the ICL gene was deleted, then the microorganism cannot survive under conditions where the glyoxylate cycle was important, as they cannot synthesize glucose. This is called gene knockout, where the genes of organisms are made inoperative.

This can be corrected by providing succinate and glyoxylate in the media and this is known as nutritional complementation of the knockout, where the absence of this gene is compensated by providing the products produced by the gene in the media. The presence of succinate and glyoxylate in the media can bypass the requirement of this enzyme (ICL). In this case, glucose can also be provided in the media. So, the micro-organisms that cannot undergo the glyoxylate cycle and synthesize glucose, can utilize the glucose available in the media.

Want to see more full solutions like this?

Subscribe now to access step-by-step solutions to millions of textbook problems written by subject matter experts!
Students have asked these similar questions
Give only the mode of inheritance consistent with all three pedigrees and only two reasons that support this, nothing more, (it shouldn't take too long)
O
Describe the principle of homeostasis.

Chapter 12 Solutions

Prescott's Microbiology

Knowledge Booster
Background pattern image
Biology
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, biology and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Similar questions
SEE MORE QUESTIONS
Recommended textbooks for you
Text book image
Curren'S Math For Meds: Dosages & Sol
Nursing
ISBN:9781305143531
Author:CURREN
Publisher:Cengage
Text book image
Surgical Tech For Surgical Tech Pos Care
Health & Nutrition
ISBN:9781337648868
Author:Association
Publisher:Cengage
Text book image
BIOLOGY:CONCEPTS+APPL.(LOOSELEAF)
Biology
ISBN:9781305967359
Author:STARR
Publisher:CENGAGE L
Text book image
Basic Clinical Laboratory Techniques 6E
Biology
ISBN:9781133893943
Author:ESTRIDGE
Publisher:Cengage
Text book image
Biochemistry
Biochemistry
ISBN:9781305577206
Author:Reginald H. Garrett, Charles M. Grisham
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Text book image
Concepts of Biology
Biology
ISBN:9781938168116
Author:Samantha Fowler, Rebecca Roush, James Wise
Publisher:OpenStax College
cell culture and growth media for Microbiology; Author: Scientist Cindy;https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjnQ3peWRek;License: Standard YouTube License, CC-BY