Microbial Metabolism

Question 1

How do microbes respires?

Answer 1

Both aerobically and anaerobically

Question 2

Which is more efficient at producing ATP, aerobic or anaerobic respiration?

Answer 2

Aerobic and therefore microbes metabolise better in aerobic conditions

Question 3

How many ATP molecules does aerobic respiration produce from one glucose molecules?

Answer 3

38

Question 4

How many ATP molecules does anaerobic respiration produce from one glucose molecule?

Answer 4

2

Question 5

What byproducts are produced from aerobic and anaerobic respiration?

Answer 5

Acids

Alcohols

Question 6

What respiration is involved in wine fermentation?

Answer 6

Yeast respiring anaerobically

Question 7

What respiration is involved in vinegar production?

Answer 7

Bacterial respiration

Question 8

What are obligate aerobes? Give an example

Answer 8

Organism that requires oxygen to surbibe

Cryptococcus neoformans = causes meningitis

Question 9

What are obligate anaerobes? Give an example

Answer 9

Organisms that are harmed by oxygen

Clostridium perfringens = causes gas gangrene

Question 10

What are facultative anaerobes? Give an example

Answer 10

Uses oxygen if present but can respire anaerobically

Staphylococcus aureus

Question 11

What are facultative aerobes? Give an example

Answer 11

Prefer anaerobic conditions but can respire with oxygen

Ralstonia metallidurans

Question 12

What type of microbe is used in fermentation?

Answer 12

Facultative anaerobes

Question 13

What are microaerophilies? Give an example

Answer 13

Organisms that require oxygen but at lower levels than atmospheric oxygen
Campylobacter jejuni

Question 14

What do microorganisms require energy for?

Answer 14

Growth
Movement
Reproduction 
Maintaining cell structures 
Defence against threat

Question 15

How do microorganisms intake nutrients?

Answer 15

• Diffusion
• Facilitate diffusion = exploited for intake of antimicrobial drugs
• Active transport
• Enzymes secreted to digest macromolecules before they can be broken down

Question 16

How do heterotrophs acquire carbon?

Answer 16

From pre-formed sources of carbon

• Amino acids
• Sugars
• Fatty acids
• Aromatic compounds

Question 17

How are microorganisms classified?

Answer 17

By the means in which they acquire nutrients

Question 18

What are photoautotrophs?

Answer 18

Have the ability to photosynthesise

Question 19

What are photoheterotrophs?

Answer 19

Have the ability to photosynthesise

Question 20

What are chemoautotrophs?

Answer 20

Acquire nutrients chemically = mostly pathogenic

Question 21

What are chemoheterotrophs?

Answer 21

Acquire nutrients chemically = mostly pathogenic

Question 22

What are autotrophs?

Answer 22

Acquire carbon via carbon dioxide

Question 23

What is the main macronutrient for microorganisms?

Answer 23

Carbon

Question 24

What are three essential microbial nutrients?

Answer 24

Phosphorus
Sulphur
Potassium

Question 25

What is the main non-essential microbial nutrient?

Answer 25

Calcium = stabilises cell walls

Question 26

What trace elements are found in microbial nutrients?

Answer 26

Cobalt = enzyme production
Selenium = synthesis of amino acids 
Tungsten = synthesis of amino acids

Question 27

What are siderophores?

Answer 27

Iron binding molecules

Question 28

What are the two classes of siderophores?

Answer 28

Catechols

Hydroxamates

Question 29

What do bacteria use siderophores for?

Answer 29

To harvest iron from other bacteria and their host

Question 30

What does microbial metabolism contribute to within other organisms?

Answer 30

Symptoms of disease