Difference Between Assimilatory and Dissimilatory Sulphate Reduction

The key difference between assimilatory and dissimilatory sulphate reduction is that assimilatory sulphate reduction produces cysteine as an end product while dissimilatory sulphate reduction produces sulfide as an end product. Sulphate reduction is one of the main anaerobic respiratory pathways.

1. What is assimilative sulfate reduction?
2. Where does sulfate reduction occur?
3. How does sulfur become sulfate?
4. What plays a role in assimilation of Sulphur?
5. Where do sulfate reducing bacteria live?
6. What is the difference between sulfate and sulfur?
7. Is sulfate reducing bacteria harmful?
8. Why is sulfur so important?
9. What plants benefit from sulfur?
10. Is Sulfate a form of sulfur?

What is assimilative sulfate reduction?

Assimilatory sulfate reduction is a pathway used by prokaryotes, fungi, and photosynthetic organisms to convert inorganic sulfate to sulfide, which is further incorporated into carbon skeletons of amino acids to form Cys or homo-Cys (Brunold, 1993).

Where does sulfate reduction occur?

Sulfate is also found in more extreme environments such as hydrothermal vents, acid-mine drainage sites, oil fields, and the deep subsurface, including the world's oldest isolated ground water. Sulfate-reducing microorganisms are common in anaerobic environments where they aid in the degradation of organic materials.

How does sulfur become sulfate?

Sulfur-containing proteins are degraded into their constituent amino acids by the action of a variety of soil organisms. The sulfur of the amino acids is converted to hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) by another series of soil microbes. In the presence of oxygen, H₂S is converted to sulfur and then to sulfate by sulfur bacteria.

What plays a role in assimilation of Sulphur?

The serine family

Reductive assimilation of sulfate, i.e., incorporation of sulfate sulfur into thiol groups of amino acids and other organic compounds, requires the reduction of sulfate to sulfite and, subsequently, of sulfite to sulfide. Two major pathways exist for the biosynthesis of cysteine in living organisms.

Where do sulfate reducing bacteria live?

Sulfur-reducing bacteria live in oxygen-deficient environments such as deep wells, plumbing systems, water softeners and water heaters. These bacteria usually flourish on the hot water side of a water distribution system. Hydrogen sulfide gas also occurs naturally in some groundwater.

What is the difference between sulfate and sulfur?

The main difference between Sulfur and Sulfate is that the Sulfur is a element with the atomic number of 16 and Sulfate is a anion. Sulfur or sulphur is a chemical element with symbol S and atomic number 16.

Is sulfate reducing bacteria harmful?

(Phys.org) —Sulfate-reducing bacteria are common in oxygen-deprived habitats, and they can have harmful industrial and health effects as well as beneficial environmental effects.

Why is sulfur so important?

Sulfur is essential to all living things. It is taken up as sulfate from the soil (or seawater) by plants and algae. It is used to make two of the essential amino acids needed to make proteins. It is also needed in some co-enzymes.

What plants benefit from sulfur?

Plants only need 10 to 30 pounds of sulfur per acre . Sulfur also acts as a soil conditioner and helps reduce the sodium content of soils. Sulfur in plants is a component of some vitamins and is important in helping give flavor to mustard, onions and garlic.

Is Sulfate a form of sulfur?

Sulfate, a compound of sulfur and oxygen (SO4) is crucial to several metabolic pathways. It is used in conjunction with enzymes and as an important electrolyte.