Microbial Nutrients and Uptake

Essential elements required by microorganisms for growth and metabolism, categorized into macronutrients (e.g., carbon, nitrogen) and micronutrients (e.g., zinc, copper).

Essential elements required by microorganisms in larger amounts for growth and metabolic processes.

Essential elements required by microorganisms in small amounts for enzymatic functions and other biochemical activities.

Movement of small molecules across a cell membrane without energy input, following their concentration gradient.

Movement of molecules across a cell membrane with the help of carrier proteins, following their concentration gradient.

Movement of molecules across a cell membrane against their concentration gradient, requiring energy (usually ATP).

Microorganisms that use light as their primary energy source.

Microorganisms that obtain energy from chemical compounds.

Chemotrophs that use organic compounds as their energy source.

Chemotrophs that use inorganic compounds as their energy source.

The study of energy flow through living systems, focusing on the laws of thermodynamics.

Biological catalysts speeding up biochemical reactions by lowering activation energy.

Measures the spontaneity of biochemical reactions whether a reaction can occur on its own.

Active transport that modifies a molecule as it's moved into the cell, using energy from high-energy compounds like phosphoenolpyruvate.

Molecules that lose or gain electrons in redox reactions, crucial for energy production.

Chemical reactions involving the transfer of electrons, vital for energy production in processes like respiration and photosynthesis.

A series of protein complexes that transfer electrons via redox reactions, generating a proton motive force.

The electrochemical gradient formed by pumping protons across a membrane, driving ATP synthesis.

A high-energy compound that stores and transfers energy within cells.

The breakdown of ATP releasing energy used for cellular work (biosynthesis, transport, movement).

The breakdown of glucose into pyruvate, producing ATP and NADH.

An energy conservation process in the absence of oxygen, where pyruvate is further metabolized.

The breakdown of complex molecules to release energy.

Energy conservation using the electron transport chain and chemiosmosis

A type of cellular respiration that does not require oxygen. It uses alternative electron acceptors to regenerate NAD+ and produce end products like lactic acid or ethanol, yielding less ATP compared to respiration.

A metabolic process where organisms use inorganic molecules as a source of energy.

A metabolic pathway where pyruvate is oxidized, producing NADH and FADH2, which carry electrons to the electron transport chain.

A variation of the citric acid cycle that allows organisms to convert fatty acids into carbohydrates.

Molecules that shuttle electrons from glycolysis and the citric acid cycle to the electron transport chain, generating a proton gradient.

The process of creating fatty acids from acetyl-CoA, a crucial component for cell membranes and energy storage.

A series of protein complexes that use electron energy to pump protons creating a gradient.