Some bacteria in the human gut microbiota primarily feed on glucose derivatives from mucus secretions. Which of the following is correct with respect to "mucus farming" by bacteria?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

"Mucus farming" refers to the process where certain gut bacteria, such as Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, stimulate the host's colon to produce mucus, which they then degrade to obtain nutrients. These bacteria metabolize mucus-derived sugar acids primarily through the Entner-Doudoroff (ED) pathway. For these sugar acids to be utilized in the ED pathway, they must first be converted into intermediates such as 6-phosphogluconate.

Some Bacteria in the Human Gut Microbiota Primarily Feed on Glucose