Microbial Metabolism Flashcards
How do microbes respires?
Both aerobically and anaerobically
Which is more efficient at producing ATP, aerobic or anaerobic respiration?
Aerobic and therefore microbes metabolise better in aerobic conditions
How many ATP molecules does aerobic respiration produce from one glucose molecules?
38
How many ATP molecules does anaerobic respiration produce from one glucose molecule?
2
What byproducts are produced from aerobic and anaerobic respiration?
Acids
Alcohols
What respiration is involved in wine fermentation?
Yeast respiring anaerobically
What respiration is involved in vinegar production?
Bacterial respiration
What are obligate aerobes? Give an example
Organism that requires oxygen to surbibe
Cryptococcus neoformans = causes meningitis
What are obligate anaerobes? Give an example
Organisms that are harmed by oxygen
Clostridium perfringens = causes gas gangrene
What are facultative anaerobes? Give an example
Uses oxygen if present but can respire anaerobically
Staphylococcus aureus
What are facultative aerobes? Give an example
Prefer anaerobic conditions but can respire with oxygen
Ralstonia metallidurans
What type of microbe is used in fermentation?
Facultative anaerobes
What are microaerophilies? Give an example
Organisms that require oxygen but at lower levels than atmospheric oxygen
Campylobacter jejuni
What do microorganisms require energy for?
Growth Movement Reproduction Maintaining cell structures Defence against threat
How do microorganisms intake nutrients?
- Diffusion
- Facilitate diffusion = exploited for intake of antimicrobial drugs
- Active transport
- Enzymes secreted to digest macromolecules before they can be broken down
How do heterotrophs acquire carbon?
From pre-formed sources of carbon
- Amino acids
- Sugars
- Fatty acids
- Aromatic compounds
How are microorganisms classified?
By the means in which they acquire nutrients
What are photoautotrophs?
Have the ability to photosynthesise
What are photoheterotrophs?
Have the ability to photosynthesise
What are chemoautotrophs?
Acquire nutrients chemically = mostly pathogenic
What are chemoheterotrophs?
Acquire nutrients chemically = mostly pathogenic
What are autotrophs?
Acquire carbon via carbon dioxide
What is the main macronutrient for microorganisms?
Carbon
What are three essential microbial nutrients?
Phosphorus
Sulphur
Potassium
What is the main non-essential microbial nutrient?
Calcium = stabilises cell walls
What trace elements are found in microbial nutrients?
Cobalt = enzyme production Selenium = synthesis of amino acids Tungsten = synthesis of amino acids
What are siderophores?
Iron binding molecules
What are the two classes of siderophores?
Catechols
Hydroxamates
What do bacteria use siderophores for?
To harvest iron from other bacteria and their host
What does microbial metabolism contribute to within other organisms?
Symptoms of disease
