In terms of phenol degrading bacteria answer the following question use simple words and an easy example: What is meant by “recalcitrance”? (2 marks) Give an example. (4 marks)

**What is meant by “recalcitrance”? (2 marks)** Recalcitrance refers to the difficulty some substances have in breaking down or being degraded by bacteria. It means that these substances are stubborn and resistant to decay. For example, certain compounds can stay in the environment for a long time because bacteria cannot easily break them down. **Give an example. (4 marks)** An example of recalcitrance is **phenol**, which is a chemical found in products like disinfectants and some plastics. Phenol is tough for bacteria to degrade, so it can linger in soil or water. Some special bacteria, like certain types of *Pseudomonas*, can eventually break down phenol, but it takes longer compared to simpler substances like sugar, which bacteria can easily digest.