Bacterial Growth Chapter 3

Study Notes

Bacterial Metabolism

Anabolic: Involves synthesis of cell constituents and metabolites essential for growth.
Catabolic: Relates to the breakdown of cell constituents and metabolites for energy release.

Bacterial Growth Phases

Batch Culture: A method where bacteria are grown in a closed system with a limited supply of nutrients.
Continuous Culture: Involves maintaining a constant growth rate by continuously supplying fresh nutrients while removing waste.
Lag Phase:
- Initial phase of bacterial growth; cells prepare for division by replicating proteins and DNA.
- Length varies from hours to days, depending on bacterial species and environmental conditions.
Log Phase:
- Characterized by rapid cell division and metabolic activity.
- Size of the bacterial colony increases dramatically; cells are highly vulnerable during this stage.
Stationary Phase:
- Growth rate slows as resources deplete; cell death matches the rate of division.
- The colony reaches equilibrium, living off limited resources while waste accumulation affects growth.
Death Phase:
- The number of dying bacteria exceeds new cell production due to resource limitations and waste buildup.
- Some cells may survive and eventually re-enter the growth cycle.

Metabolites

Primary Metabolites:
- Directly involved in normal growth and reproduction; essential for physiological functions.
- Present in many organisms and often referred to as central metabolites.
Secondary Metabolites:
- Do not directly impact growth or reproduction.
- Their absence may not cause immediate death, but may impair long-term survivability and aesthetics.

Energy and Nutrition

Photosynthesis:
- Process utilizing CO2, H2O, and light energy to produce glucose (C6H12O6) and oxygen (O2).
- Vital for photoautotrophs like plants, algae, and certain bacteria that synthesize their own food.
Respiration: Process of breaking down glucose to release energy for cellular functions.
Fermentation:
- Involves anaerobic processes producing ethanol and carbon dioxide, leading to the formation of acetic acid.

Nutritional Classifications

Heterotroph: Organisms that cannot synthesize their own food and rely on organic substances.
Autotroph: Organisms capable of producing their own food from inorganic substances.
Chemoautotroph: Organisms that derive energy from chemical processes to produce organic matter from inorganic substrates.
Chemoheterotroph: Organisms that obtain both energy and carbon from organic compounds.

Description

Explore key vocabulary related to bacterial growth in this flashcard quiz. You'll learn about important terms such as anabolic, catabolic, and the phases of bacterial growth. Test your understanding and solidify your knowledge of microbiology concepts!