Which statement best describes respiration in spiral-shaped bacteria? (1 point)
O Spiral-shaped bacteria are facultative anaerobes but can switch to aerobic respiration when needed.
O Spiral-shaped bacteria only utilize anaerobic respiration.
O Spiral-shaped bacteria only utilize aerobic respiration.
O Spiral-shaped bacteria are generally aerobic, but a subset of the group uses anaerobic respiration.
Here, we are required to identify which statement best describes respiration in spiral-shaped bacteria.
The statement which best describes respiration in spiral-shaped bacteria is Choice D: Spiral-shaped bacteria are generally aerobic, but a subset of the group uses anaerobic respiration.
Generally, spiral-shaped bacteria are classified as either: Spirilla or Spirochette.
Spirilla: This group of spiral-shaped bacteria are characterized by a spiral shape as evident in the name, a rigid cell wall, and motility mechanisms based on polar flagella. These organisms are aerobic bacteria wound like helices.
Spirochettes: This group have a spiral shape as in spirilla, a flexible cell wall, and unlike spirilla have motility mechanisms by means of structures called axial filaments. Some species of spirochettes inhabit aquatic environments.
A new genus of spiral-shaped bacteria have been discovered, and are called Anaerobiospirillum whose respiration is anaerobic. The cells of this new group of spiral-shaped bacteria do not have axial fibrils.
Ultimately,Spiral-shaped bacteria are generally aerobic, but a subset of the group uses anaerobic respiration.
