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Oxygen Inhibition of Respiration in Azotobacter

Nature volume 191, pages 520–521 (1961)Cite this article

Abstract

THE effect of oxygen partial pressure on Azotobacter has been studied by Meyerhof and Burk1, Burk2 and by Parker and Scutt3, with essentially similar findings. Respiration in this organism reaches a clearly defined maximum at 0.15–0.30 atm. oxygen, Burk's results tending to the lower values and Parker and Scutt's to the higher. Respiration was measured with either sucrose or glucose as the substrate, and a similar observation was made by Tschapek and Giambiagi4, who followed glucose dissimilation rather than oxygen uptake. Inhibition of some enzyme system(s) in the respiratory mechanism appears to be the most likely explanation of this effect.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Soil Microbiology Section, Institute of Agriculture, University of Western Australia, Nedlands

    M. J. DILWORTH & C. A. PARKER

Authors
  1. M. J. DILWORTH
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  2. C. A. PARKER
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DILWORTH, M., PARKER, C. Oxygen Inhibition of Respiration in Azotobacter . Nature 191, 520–521 (1961). https://doi.org/10.1038/191520a0

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