Neisseria species are known to use dissimilatory reduction of nitrate to ammonium. How can this reaction be used to distinguish Neisseria gonorrhoeae from other related species?
A) N. gonorrhoeae will test negative for terminal NO reductase.
B) N. gonorrhoeae will test positive for terminal NO reductase.
C) All Neisseria species test negative for terminal NO reductase.
D) None of the enzymes involved in dissimilatory reduction of nitrate are known from Neisseria.
E) none of the above.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

N. gonorrhoeae will test negative for terminal NO reductase, which is involved in the dissimilatory reduction of nitrate to ammonium. This is a unique characteristic of N. gonorrhoeae, which allows for its differentiation from other related species that possess this enzyme.

Neisseria Species Are Known to Use Dissimilatory Reduction of Nitrate