A gram-negative, obligately aerobic, bacillus-shaped bacterium that can degrade a large variety or aromatic compounds (making them potentially useful for bioremediation) is likely a(n)
A) actinobacterium.
B) enteric.
C) pseudomonad.
D) sphingomonad.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The description matches that of a sphingomonad. Sphingomonads are gram-negative, obligately aerobic, bacillus-shaped bacteria known for their ability to degrade a large variety of aromatic compounds, making them useful for bioremediation. While pseudomonads are also known for their ability to degrade aromatic compounds, their shape is more variable and they are not obligately aerobic. Enterics are a family of gram-negative bacteria that includes many common human pathogens, but are not specifically known for their ability to degrade aromatic compounds. Actinobacteria are gram-positive bacteria with high GC content and diverse metabolic capabilities, but are not typically associated with the degradation of aromatic compounds.

A Gram-Negative, Obligately Aerobic, Bacillus-Shaped Bacterium That Can Degrade a Large