Question

Do plants require Molydenium to respire? If so, how much, and where is this element most common?

Molybdenum is listed as an essential animal micronutrient for its role in certain enzymes associated the oxidation of aldehydes. It is found in very small quantities in some legumes, cereals, and organ meats. The wikipedia says that "In plants, molybdenum is involved in the pathways of nitrogen fixation and nitrate reduction, and in animals, molybdenum is involved in the pathways of purine degradation and formation of uric acid." It appears to be one of those trace elements that play a useful role in many kinds of life as it has evolved on Earth, but it is not essential in terms of fundamental biochemistry, and therefore other life, even if similar to that on Earth, would not necessarily use molybdenum.

David Morrison
NAI Senior Scientist
November 17, 2004