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ions at the ends of metabolic pathways - (Aug/27/2008 )

Do microbes excrete ions as waste products?
There are certainly ionic salts and minerals that are necessary for microbial growth, but it would seem like a waste of energy for a microbe to release ions. Wouldn't the the ions sooner bind to something than come out in ionic form?

-DRZion-

QUOTE (DRZion @ Aug 27 2008, 06:30 AM)
Do microbes excrete ions as waste products?
There are certainly ionic salts and minerals that are necessary for microbial growth, but it would seem like a waste of energy for a microbe to release ions. Wouldn't the the ions sooner bind to something than come out in ionic form?


what they have are transporters which work electroneutral or electrogenic

-The Bearer-

Would ion concentration increase or decrease in solution?

To the lab, go!

-DRZion-