What Methods Do Microorganisms NOT Use to Minimize Energy for Biosynthesis

Question

What methods do microorganisms NOT use to minimize energy for biosynthesis?
A) inhibiting or killing competitors by making antimicrobials
B) loss of genes encoding enzymes for a nutrient that can be provided by the environment
C) regulation of gene expression so that molecules are not made if available
D) allosteric control of biosynthetic enzyme activity
E) transport of ATP from the environment into the cell to drive biosynthesis

Accepted Answer

Microorganisms do not use the method of transporting ATP from the environment into the cell to drive biosynthesis as ATP synthesis requires energy, and transporting ATP directly avoids the need for energy generation. Hence, this method does not minimize energy for biosynthesis. On the other hand, methods like inhibiting or killing competitors using antimicrobials, loss of genes encoding enzymes for a nutrient that can be provided by the environment, regulation of gene expression, and allosteric control of biosynthetic enzyme activity minimize energy for biosynthesis by conserving energy and resources.