Superoxide Dismutase-Containing Bacteria

Question

Superoxide dismutase-containing bacteria
A) Need superoxide to grow
B) Are frequently obligate anaerobes
C) Grow slowly in the presence of $CO_2$
D) Produce hydrogen peroxide from hydrogen ion and the superoxide free radical $({O_2}^{\cdot-})$

Accepted Answer

Superoxide dismutase is found in aerobic and facultative anaerobic bacteria. It protects them from the toxic free radical $({O_2}^{\cdot-})$ by combining it with a hydrogen ion to form hydrogen peroxide, which is subsequently degraded by peroxidase.