Chemical Requirements for Microbial Growth

Question 1

What are the essential chemical requirements that cells need to make other compounds? (5 basic elements)

Answer 1

Carbon, Nitrogen, Hydrogen, Sulfur, Phosphorus

Question 2

In addition to the five basic chemical elements, what other chemical requirements do cells have?

Answer 2

• trace elements
• organic growth factors (vitamins)\
• Oxygen

Question 3

Structural back bone of living matter that constitutes 50% of the dry weight of cells?

Answer 3

Carbon

Question 4

What is an autotroph?

Answer 4

Organisms that can make their own food from inorganic substances

Question 5

What is a heterotroph?

Answer 5

An organism that is unable to synthesize its own food and has to rely on other sources (plant and animal matter)

Question 6

How does an autotroph obtain carbon?

Answer 6

Atmospheric carbon dioxide

Question 7

How does a heterotroph obtain carbon?

Answer 7

breaking down organic compounds (proteins carbs and lipids)

Question 8

Which chemical element is a part of virtually every molecule in a cell?

Answer 8

Hydrogen

Question 9

Hydrogen is critical for the generation of energy through what process?

Answer 9

Oxidative Phosphorylation

Question 10

Where do cells get the Hydrogen they need?

Answer 10

Water