Why is it possible for different microorganisms to extract energy not only from carbohydrates and other biological molecules but from a large variety of substances, such as petroleum, methane, benzene, toluene and even inorganic molecules, such as hydrogen, sulfur, ammonia, and iron?

Question

Biology

Ariella Park

31 October, 17:45

Why is it possible for different microorganisms to extract energy not only from carbohydrates and other biological molecules but from a large variety of substances, such as petroleum, methane, benzene, toluene and even inorganic molecules, such as hydrogen, sulfur, ammonia, and iron?

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Ray · Answer 1

Due to lack of food availability of a specific type the microbial strains might have undergone with adaptation due to natural selection. This resulted in switching to multiple sources of chemical substances as a source of food and energy.