An organic solvent widely used in industrial processes, 1,1,1-trichloroethane (TCA), is a major environmental pollutant affecting human health and damaging the ozone layer. Recently, researchers isolated the first bacteria able to degrade TCA. They found that the bacteria use hydrogen as an electron donor, TCA as an electron acceptor, and acetate as a carbon source. Based on the preceding information, deduce the method used to isolate these bacteria.
A) Gram staining
B) enrichment culture
C) direct sequencing
D) seeding

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The method used to isolate the bacteria able to degrade TCA is likely enrichment culture, as it involves selecting for microorganisms with specific characteristics in a selective medium over time. In this case, the researchers would have used a culture medium containing TCA as the sole source of electron acceptor and acetate as a carbon source, which ultimately led to the isolation of a bacterial strain capable of degrading TCA. Gram staining, direct sequencing, and seeding are unlikely to have been the methods used in this experiment.

An Organic Solvent Widely Used in Industrial Processes, 1,1,1-Trichloroethane (TCA)