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Question #46715
The Question
A mutant strain of aerobic bacteria, utilized in the aeration tanks of a sewage treatment plant, exhibits a severe structural defect preventing the invagination of its plasma membrane into vesicles, tubules, and lamellae. Which of the following will be the most direct consequence of this mutation on the secondary treatment process?
Options
- A.
The bacteria will fail to perform glycolysis in the cytoplasm, leading to a rapid decrease in the biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) of the effluent.
- B.
The surface area for respiratory enzymes will be drastically reduced, resulting in incomplete oxidation of organic matter and a persistently high BOD in the effluent.
- C.
The bacteria will shift entirely to anaerobic respiration, causing a rapid drop in the effluent's BOD due to the cessation of oxygen consumption.
- D.
The mutation will enhance the bacterial secretion processes, accelerating the formation of activated sludge and rapidly lowering the BOD.
Check Your Answer
Correct Answer
Step-by-Step Solution
Explanation
How the Examiner Thinks
Regulatory_Failure
Understand how NOT, EXCEPT, and logical constraints are used to manipulate exam results.
Concepts Behind This Question
Prokaryotic Mesosome Geometry|BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand) Logic|Aerobic Respiration
Why This Question Is Tricky
Common Mistakes
Conceptual Pivot: Integrating Cell Biology (mesosome structure/function) with Microbes in Human Welfare (BOD and sewage treatment).
The trap lies in misunderstanding BOD; students often confuse the bacteria's inability to consume oxygen with a 'drop in BOD', failing to realize that BOD represents the oxygen required to break down the REMAINING organic matter, which stays high if bacterial respiration is inefficient.
Quick Facts About This Question
Question Information
| Subject | Biology |
| Chapter | Cell – The Unit of Life - Class 11 |
| Concept | Prokaryotic Mesosome Geometry |
| Difficulty | 8 |
| Cognitive Load | 5 |
| Target Solve Time | 120 sec |
| Access | Free |