Question

The bacteria that cause tuberculosis rely on the glyoxylate cycle when they are in the latent stage. Which condition describes the environment of the bacteria in the latent stage?

Answer 1

The glyoxalate cycle functions in the presence of acetate to meet the energy requirements of the cells. The acetate is used to produce Acetyl CoA. This acetyl CoA is then used to change to succinate and further molecules that yield energy.

This acetate is available when there is a fatty acid rich environment. The bacteria can use fatty acids to produce energy via the glyoxalate pathway.

Thus the bacteria responsible for tuberculosis is in  a fatty acid rich environment in its latent stage.