Formate and acetate, key metabolites in carbon cycling, differ in metabolic pathways and microbial interactions. Formate metabolism involves enzymes like formate dehydrogenase and acetate kinase, and plays a role in methanogenesis, methanol synthesis, and acetic acid production. The significance of formate metabolism spans environmental processes (atmospheric chemistry, carbon cycling), clinical implications (methanol toxicity, metabolic acidosis), and biotechnology applications (biofuel production, acetic acid synthesis). Understanding formate metabolism is crucial for comprehending microbial ecology, human physiology, and industrial processes.
