Chapter 5.
Microbial Physiology
• Microbial Physiology: is the study of the vital processes of microorganisms
• Metabolism = the sum of all chemical reactions within a cell
• Catabolism = the breakdown of complex substances into simpler ones to
release energy
• Anabolism = the synthesis of complex substances from simpler ones, with
the use of energy.
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All living protoplasm contains 6 major chemical
elements: C, H, O, N, Ph, S.
Lesser amounts of Na, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, I, and some
trace elements.
Metabolic reactions are enhanced by metabolic
enzymes.
Some toxins or other poisonous substances cause
damage by interfering with the action of certain
necessary enzymes. Example, cyanide poison binds to
the iron and copper ions in the cytochrome system of
mitochondria (in eukaryotic cells) which results in
inability of the cells to use oxygen to synthesize energy
(ATP) resulting in cell death.
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Metabolic Enzymes
• Properties of metabolic enzymes
– Are known as biological catalysts, speed up biological reactions without being
altered, thus can be recycled.
– Are very specific, each exerts its effect on only one particular substance, known
as “substrate
– All enzymes are made of proteins. Some enzymes (called apoenzymes) may
require cofactors such as metal ions or vitamins .
Apoenzyme (protein) + cofactor = Holoenzyme (functional enzyme)
– Lower the activation energy required for a chemical reaction to proceed.
– Their activity is affected by factors such as pH, temperature, and concentration of
enzyme and substrate
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4
Organisms are categorized according to the source of energy (light or
chemical compounds) and carbon (Co2 or organic compounds)
4 Nutritional types
Nutritional Type Energy source Carbon source Example
Photoautotrophs Light Co2 Plants, Algae
cyanobacteria,
purple and green
sulfur bacteria
Photoheterotrophs Light Organic Purple non-
compounds sulfur and green
non-sulfur
bacteria
Chemoautotrophs Chemical Co2 Nitrifying, iron
compounds and sulfur
bacteria
Chemoheterotrophs Chemical Organic Animals, Human
compounds compounds Protozoa, Fungi,
Most bacteria5
Energy production (ATP generation)
• Cells use oxidation-reduction (redox) reactions in catabolism to extract
energy from nutrient molecules
– Oxidation is the removal of electrons from a molecule
– Reduction is the gaining of electrons by a molecule
• Energy is trapped by the generation of ATP (known as energy carrier) by
phosphorylation of ADP
• ATP stands for Adenosine Tri Phosphate
• Electron Carriers: NAD+ , FAD & NADP +
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In catabolic reactions, energy is extracted from molecules in the form of
electrons, which are tran6 main nutrients-carbohydrate, protein, fat,
vitamins, minerals and water
Most microorganisms oxidize carbohydrates (mainly glucose) as the major
source of energy for body cells
Energy can also be derived from the breakdown of fats and proteins
Macromolecules can be broken down into building blocks:
Polysaccharides → monosaccharides (simple sugars)
Proteins → amino acids
Lipids → fatty acids & glycerol
DNA & RNA → nucleotides
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Carbohydrate Catabolism
• Microbes use two general processes to generate energy from glucose
(both start with glycolysis)
A) Respiration (Complete oxidation of glucose)
1. Aerobic Respiration
2. Anaerobic Respiration
B) Fermentation (Incomplete oxidation of glucose or other
carbohydrates in the absence of oxygen)
• Uses organic compounds as final electron acceptors
• Yields a small amount of ATP
• Production of ethyl alcohol by yeasts acting on glucose
• Formation of acid, gas & other products by the action of various
bacteria on pyruvic acid
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Aerobic Respiration
Oxidation (catabolism) of glucose
• Glycolysis (Embden-Meyerhof)
– Glucose is oxidized to pyruvic acid with ATP and
energy-containing NADH produced
– Pyruvic acid is converted to acetyl CoA with
NADH produced
– Energy yield 2 ATP
• TCA (Tricarboxylic acid cycle) or
(Kreb’s cycle)
– Acetyl CoA is oxidized to CO2 with ATP,
NADH and FADH2 produced
– Energy yield 2 ATP
• Electron transport chain
– NADH and FADH2 are oxidized through a
series of redox reactions and a
considerable amount of ATP is produced
– O2 is reduced into H2O
– Energy yield 32-34 ATP
The overall reacrion of aerobic respiration
C6H12O6 + 6O2 + 6H2O + 38 ADP + 38 ℗
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→ 6CO2 + 12H2O + 38 ATP
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Summary of Catabolic Reactions
Pathways Final electron Energy
involved acceptor yield
(ATP)
Aerobic Respiration Glycolysis oxygen 36-38
TCA Cycle
Electron-
transport chain
Anaerobic respiration Glycolysis Inorganic compound: Variable
TCA Cycle NO3-, So4-2, CO3-3
Electron-
transport chain
Fermentation Glycolysis Organic molecules: 2
Pyruvic acid
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Anabolism
*Anabolic (or biosynthetic reactions) reactions require energy because chemical
bonds are being formed.
• Biosynthesis of organic compounds may occur either by chemosynthesis or
photosynthesis
A) Chemosynthesis: involves a chemical source of energy and raw materials for
the synthesis of macromolecules required for growth and function of the
organisms.
Amino acids → Proteins; Glucose and other sugars → Carbohydrates
Nucleotides → Nucleic Acids; Glycerol + Fatty Acids → Lipids;
B) Photosynthesis
• Only occurs in photosynthetic cells which contain light trapping pigment such
as chlorophyll; Light causes chlorophyll to give up electrons
• Energy released from the transfer of electrons (oxidation) of chlorophyll
through a system of carrier molecules is used to generate ATP and
carbohydrates.
• The photosynthetic reaction is:
6CO2 + 12H2O → C6H12O6 + 6O2 + 6H2O + ATP
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