Question

Bacterium Pseudomonas is useful as it can

• A. Transfer genes from one plant to an other
• B. Fix atmospheric nitrogen
• C. Produce several antibiotics
• D. Decompose a variety of organic compounds

Answer 1

The correct option is D Decompose a variety of organic compounds

• Bacteria of the genus Pseudomonas are capable of degrading a wide range of organic compounds such as phenol, vinyl alcohol, chlorine etc.
• Many strains of Pseudomonas like P. veronii, P. putida etc are used as biocontrol agents as they are able to degrade substance like aromatic organic compounds, toluene etc respectively
• Enzymes like benzonate dioxygenease, methanol dehydrogenase etc which are secreted by the bacterium of genus Pseudomonas are responsible for the degradation of many organic compounds.
• Pseudomonas are used in the process of bioremediation as they are able to decompose hydrocarbon waste that is cause by oil spilling in the marine environment or phenol and other solutes released in the water bodies. This is because the bacterium is able to degrade these kind of organic waste and convert it into harmless compounds that are fit to be released in nature or at atleast sustain the pollutants to some level.
• So, the correct answer is 'Decompose a variety of organic compounds'