Wk2: Microbial Metabolism 1

Question 1

What is anabolism?

Answer 1

Process where an organism uses ATP and raw materials to build large macromolecules and cellular structures

Question 2

What is catabolism?

Answer 2

Organisms retrieve energy by breaking down large molecules into smaller constituent parts - breaking the chemical bonds release energy

Question 3

What is chemical energy?

Answer 3

The oxidation of chemical compounds (organic or inorganic) to obtain energy

Question 4

What do chemotrophs do?

Answer 4

They are organisms that oxidise (gain electrons) chemical compounds to obtain energy.
The organisms with their electrons being donated are electron donors.

• Can obtain electrons from inorganic compounds (chemolithotroph) or organic compounds (chemoorganotroph)

Question 5

What is the difference between organic and inorganic compounds?

Answer 5

Organic compounds contain carbon (carbon-hydrogen bonds)

Question 6

What are some electron donors for chemoorganotrophs?

Answer 6

Glucose, benzene, methane and acetate

Question 7

What are some electron donors for chemolithotrophs?

Answer 7

Ammonia, ferric iron, hydrogen oxidizers, sulfur oxidizers, nitrifying bacteria,

Question 8

What is the concept of cable bacteria?

Answer 8

Filamentous bacteria that allows for long distance (1cm) electron transport from regions with no oxygen (need oxygen to be the electron acceptor)
- When the sulphides donate electrons (oxidised) it needs an electron acceptor (oxygen), there’s oxygen in the upper surface so to transport these electrons the bacteria conduct electricity - coupling the oxidation of sulphide and reduction of oxygen together