Microbes & energy flow - 29 Flashcards
How do we identify microbes
Using ‘fingerprints’ or barcodes (16S rRNA sequences) in a database
Cultured vs non-cultured organisms
Non-cultured organisms far greater than the cultured ones.
Describe a community of microbes
When populations of microbes interact with each other
What is microbial ecology
Study of interrelationships among microorganisms and their environment
What is a microbiome
All organisms, and their genes, within a particular environment
Describe an enrichment culture
Increases populations within a system. Uses temperature and chemical conditions that encourage growth of specific groups of microbes
Describe basic microbial metabolism
Breaking bonds - harvests energy and/or building blocks.
Reaction can be reverse (needs energy and building block to attach bond to)
Describe basics of REDOX reactions
Every action has an equal and opposite reaction.
Energy from oxidation shuttled through intermediate (NADH?NADPH)
Describe autotrophs
Primary producers. Fix CO2. Self sufficient
Describe heterotrophs
Decomposers.
Require carbon given to them. Dependant on primary producers
What are trophic groups
Nourishment groups (auto, hetero)
How do chemotrophs work
Chemical - Use chemical energy from organic (C compounds - glucose) or inorganic (Non C compounds-H2S)
How do phototrophs work
Get energy from sunlight (solar)
What are the two different kinds of photosynthesis
Non-cyclic - Electrons flow through photosystems. Produces O2, ATP and NADPH
Cyclic - electrons flow through PS 1 (absence of PS2). Produces ATP but no O2.
What are the similarities between the two kinds of photosynthesis
Use light for energy
Fix carbon
