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• What do the metabolic capabilities of microbes differ in?

  Nutrition and energy sources
• What do all microbes need as a source of energy?

  Carbon
• What are the macronutrients required by microbes?

  • Carbon (C)
  • Oxygen (O)
  • Hydrogen (H)
  • Nitrogen (N)
  • Phosphorus (P)
  • Sulfur (S)
• What are the micronutrients required by microbes?

  • Trace elements
  • Metals
• What do chemoorganotrophs oxidize for energy?


  Organic and inorganic materials
• What do chemolithotrophs use for energy?


  Inorganic molecules
• What do phototrophs use for energy?


  Solar energy
• What is the elemental composition of a cell primarily made of?

  • Carbon (C)
  • Nitrogen (N)
  • Phosphorus (P)
• What is the macromolecular composition of a cell?

  • Protein: 55%
  • Nucleic acids: 20.5%
  • Polysaccharides: 6.5%
  • Lipids: 9.1%
  • RNA: 20.5%
• What role do trace elements play in microorganisms?

  Assist enzymes in binding
• What is the function of vitamin B12 in microorganisms?


  Assist in enzyme function
• What is the role of zinc in propionic acid bacteria?


  Assist transcarboxylase
• What is the function of copper in microorganisms?

  For respiration and photosynthesis
• What is the role of iron in microorganisms?

  Part of cytochrome and iron-sulfur proteins
• What are siderophores?

  • Iron-binding agents
  • Aid in iron uptake
• What do aerobes require for growth?

  Oxygen
• What is the role of superoxide dismutase in aerobes?

  Component that protects from superoxide
• What do anaerobes not require for growth?

  Oxygen
• What is the function of biotin (B7) in microorganisms?

  Coenzyme for carboxylation reactions
• What is the precursor of FMN and FAD?

  Riboflavin (B2)
• What is the role of pyridoxine (B6) in microorganisms?

  Amino acid biosynthesis
• What is the precursor of coenzyme A?

  Pantothenic acid (B5)
• What is the role of vanadium in microorganisms?

  Part of vanadium nitrogenase
• What are the essential macronutrients for all organisms?

  • Carbon (C)
  • Oxygen (O)
  • Hydrogen (H)
  • Nitrogen (N)
  • Sulfur (S)
• What are the essential trace elements for microorganisms?

  • Calcium (Ca)
  • Magnesium (Mg)
  • Potassium (K)
  • Iron (Fe)
  • Manganese (Mn)
  • Zinc (Zn)
• What is p-aminobenzoic acid (PAH) used for?

  Growth factor in microorganisms
• What is the role of folic acid in microorganisms?

  One-carbon metabolism and methyl transfer
• What is the role of carbon monoxide (CO) in microorganisms?

  One-carbon metabolism and hydrogenase reactions
• What is the role of nitrogen (N2) in microorganisms?

  Reduction of dinitrogen fixation
• What is the role of hydrogen (H2) in microorganisms?

  Fermentation of amino acids and uric acid
• What is the role of acetic acid (acetate) in microorganisms?

  Precursor of acetyl CoA
• What is the role of carbon dioxide (CO2) in microorganisms?

  Pyruvate fermentation and carboxylation
• What is the role of vitamin K in microorganisms?

  Electron transport
• What is the role of selenium (Se) in microorganisms?

  Methanogenesis production of methane
• What are the two types of culture media?

  • Defined media
  • Complex media
• What is defined media?

  Precise amounts of purified chemicals
• What is complex media?

  Digests products of unknown amounts
• What is the purpose of selective media?

  Favor particular organisms
• What is differential media used for?

  Exploitation of biochemical reactions
• What are the methods of solid media?

  • Streak plate
  • Pour plate
  • Spread plate