Substances (elemental or molecular) that are required for growth but cannot be synthesized by the organism and thus must be provided to it in the medium
Types of Nutrients
Macronutrients (required in large quantities)
Micronutrients (required in minute quantities)
Macronutrients include C, N, H, O, S, P, Na, K, Ca, Mg, Fe
Micronutrients include trace elements like Mo, Mn, V, Co, etc and growth factors like vitamins
Carbon source and energy source are required by all living organisms, including microorganisms
Types of microorganisms based on carbon and energy source
Bacteria (chemoheterotrophs)
Fungi (chemoheterotrophs)
Algae (photoautotrophs)
Protozoa (chemoheterotrophs)
Photosynthetic bacteria
Prototrophy
Microorganisms that can synthesize all the growthfactors they require
Auxotrophy
Microorganisms that require certain growthfactors to be included in the growthmedium
