Chapter 6: Microbial Nutrition and Growth Flashcards
All organisms require a source of elements such as:
CHONPS for bacteria.. other list on slide
Essential nutrient
Any substance that must be provided to an organism
Macronutrients
Required in relatively large quantities and play principle roles in cell structure and metabolism
Macronutrients examples
Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen
Micronutrients are also known as..
Trace elements
Micronutrients
Present in much smaller amounts and are involved in enzyme function and maintenance of protein structure
Micronutrients examples
Manganese, zinc, nickel
Inorganic nutrient
An atom or simple molecule that contains a combination of atoms other than carbon and hydrogen
Where are inorganic nutrients found?
In the crust of the earth, bodies of water and the atmosphere
Organic nutrients
Contain carbon and hydrogen atoms and are products of living things
Example of a simple organic molecule
Methane
Example of organic, large polymers
Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids
Microbes classifications based on carbon source
Heterotrophs
Autotrophs
Heterotroph
An organism that must obtain its carbon in an organic form
Autotroph
An organism that uses inorganic CO2 as its carbon source
An autotroph has the capacity to convert CO2 into…
Organic compounds
Are autotrophs nutritionally dependent on other living things?
No
Phototrophs
Microbes that photosynthesize
Chemotrophs
Microbes that gain energy from chemical compounds
Examples of photoautotrophs
Photosynthetic organisms such as algae, plants cyanobacteria
Examples of chemoautotrophs
Protozoa, fungi, many bacteria, animals
Can environmental factors alter the function of metabolic enzymes?
Yes
Survival in a changing environment us largely a matter of..
Whether the enzyme systems of microorganisms can adapt to alterations
Environmental factors that influence microbes
- Temperature
- Gasses (CO2 and O2)
- pH
- Salt
- Pressure
- Radiation
Capnophiles
Really like carbon dioxide
Name the types of organisms from lowest to highest temperature that they thrive in
Psychrophile Psychrotroph Mesophile Thermophile Extreme thermophile
Normal body temp is..
37 degrees celsius
What organisms survive best in our body temperature?
Mesophiles