T/F: Veillonella obtains lactate through its own production.

T/F: Veillonella obtains lactate through its own production.

• A. False
• B. True
• C. Not sure
• D. Unknown

Answer: (A)

Veillonella relies on lactate produced by neighboring bacteria in the dental biofilm rather than making lactate itself. In the oral ecosystem, certain bacteria ferment sugars to lactate, which Veillonella then takes up and metabolizes through the lactate utilization pathway to propionate and acetate, gaining energy in the process. This cross-feeding means Veillonella does not produce lactate on its own, so the statement is not correct.

Veillonella relies on lactate produced by neighboring bacteria in the dental biofilm rather than making lactate itself. In the oral ecosystem, certain bacteria ferment sugars to lactate, which Veillonella then takes up and metabolizes through the lactate utilization pathway to propionate and acetate, gaining energy in the process. This cross-feeding means Veillonella does not produce lactate on its own, so the statement is not correct.