Question

2) Explain why it would be reasonable to sugar a cyanide spill. Be sure to discuss C:N ratios and note how cyanide CN- compares to bacterial average.

3) As fungi are better investigated, we are learning that many species that live on rotting logs also consume animals (usually springtails or nematodes). Explain why this makes sense based on element ratios. (Fungi vary greatly in their nutrient content. Assume a 30:1 C:N ratio)

Answer 1

2) There are bacteria that are able to degrade the cyanide spill since they are able to use cyanide as the sole nitrogen source under alkaline conditions. They degrade cyanide either to detoxify it, or to use it as a source of nitrogen for growth. But, they also need more components, which are found in sugar (C, H and O) (See diagram in part 3)

3) A lot of Fungi and some bacteria form cyanide as a secondary metabolite in the decarboxylation of glycine.

They use the amino acids of the animals in this pathway: