Question

Which of the following shows extensive metabolic diversity?
A. Humans
B. Fungi
C. Snakes
D. Blue-green algae

Answer 1

Hint: Metabolic diversity refers to the different metabolic processes that are utilized by organisms to gain energy. Metabolic diversity helps in the evolution of organisms enabling them to adapt and use the sources of energy that is available in the environment.

Complete Answer:
- Metabolic diversity can be broadly classified into four categories- strategies for obtaining energy, strategies for obtaining carbon, obtaining essential enzymes and production of secondary metabolites. Energy can be obtained either from organic or inorganic compounds or light.
- The organisms that obtain energy from organic compounds are called chemoorganotrophs, those that obtain energy from inorganic compounds are called chemolithotrophs and those that obtain energy from light are called phototrophs. Carbon is required by all organisms because it is a part of proteins, nucleic acids and cellular structures.
- Organisms can obtain carbon either from organic sources, they are called heterotrophs whereas some organisms can also obtain carbon from carbon dioxide, these organisms are called autotrophs. Enzymes are a class of compounds that can speed up biological reactions.
- Some reactions do not occur at all in the absence of enzymes thus all organisms should have the capability to produce or obtain enzymes.
- Secondary metabolites are produced mostly by microbes in their stationary phase of growth. These are not only useful to them but also to plants and humans. Most extensive metabolic diversity is shown by bacteria.

So the correct answer is D) Blue-green algae which is also known as cyanobacteria.

Note: Having extensive metabolic diversity is of advantage to bacteria since it helps them not only to survive in diverse environments but also under unfavourable conditions.