Question

For bacteria to continue growing rapidly when they are shifted from an environment containing $O_2$ to an anaerobic environment, they must

• A. Produce more ATP per mole of glucose during glycolysis
• B. Produce ATP during oxidation of glucose
• C. Increase the rate of glycolysis
• D. Increase the rate of TCA cycle

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

Increase the rate of glycolysis

For bacteria to continue growing rapidly when they are shifted from an environment containing O2 to an anaerobic environment, they must increase the rate of glycolysis. Although the amount of ATP produced by anaerobic glycolysis (2) is very less as compared to ATP produced by aerobic glycolysis (38), glycolysis under anaerobic condition is very quick process. It generates ATP very quickly.

Thus, the correct answer is 'Increase the rate of glycolysis.'