It was observed that M. acetivorans converts carbon monoxide into acetate, the scientists hypothesized that early "proto-cells" attached to mineral could have similarly used primitive enzymes to generate energy while excreting acetate.
Ao observaren que M. acetivorans converte o monóxido de carbono en acetato, hipotetizaron que as primeiras "proto-células" adheridas a minerais poderían ter usado de forma similar encimas primitivos para xerar enerxía mentres excretaban acetato.