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Questions and Answers
What is the term that refers to the breakdown of complex organic compounds into simpler ones?
What is the term that refers to the breakdown of complex organic compounds into simpler ones?
What is the main advantage of using bacteria in studies of basic metabolic reactions?
What is the main advantage of using bacteria in studies of basic metabolic reactions?
What is the purpose of enzymes in chemical reactions?
What is the purpose of enzymes in chemical reactions?
What is the term that refers to the sum of all chemical reactions within a living organism?
What is the term that refers to the sum of all chemical reactions within a living organism?
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What are the six major chemical elements that make up the vital macromolecules of life?
What are the six major chemical elements that make up the vital macromolecules of life?
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What is the region on the enzyme molecule that interacts with a specific chemical substance?
What is the region on the enzyme molecule that interacts with a specific chemical substance?
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What is the primary function of an enzyme?
What is the primary function of an enzyme?
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What is the primary source of energy for most microorganisms?
What is the primary source of energy for most microorganisms?
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What is the result of the temporary binding of enzyme and reactants?
What is the result of the temporary binding of enzyme and reactants?
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What is the result of glycolysis?
What is the result of glycolysis?
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Study Notes
Physiology and Microbial Physiology
- Physiology is the study of vital life processes of organisms, focusing on how they normally function in living organisms.
- Microbial physiology specifically studies the vital life processes of microorganisms.
- Microorganisms, such as bacteria, are ideal for studying basic metabolic reactions due to their low maintenance, rapid reproduction, and easily observable morphology and nutritional needs.
Chemical Elements and Macromolecules
- All living protoplasm contains six major chemical elements: carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur.
- Other essential elements, although required in lesser amounts, include sodium, potassium, chlorine, magnesium, calcium, iron, iodine, and trace elements.
- The combination of these elements forms vital macromolecules of life, including carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.
Metabolism
- Metabolism refers to all chemical reactions occurring within a cell, including the build-up and breakdown of nutrients.
- There are two classes of chemical reactions: catabolism and anabolism.
Catabolism and Anabolism
- Catabolism involves the breakdown of complex organic compounds into simpler ones through hydrolytic reactions, which are exergonic.
- Anabolism involves the building of complex organic molecules from simpler ones through dehydration synthesis reactions, which are endergonic.
Enzymes and Chemical Reactions
- Enzymes are biological catalysts that increase the rate of chemical reactions without being consumed or permanently altered.
- Enzymes have unique active sites that fit specific substrates, forming an enzyme-substrate complex that enables effective collisions and lowers activation energy.
Mechanism of Enzymatic Activity
- Enzymatic activity occurs through the formation of an enzyme-substrate complex, followed by the transformation of the substrate into products, and finally, the release of the products and recovery of the enzyme.
Factors Influencing Enzymatic Activity
- Temperature, pH, and substrate concentration are factors that influence enzymatic activity.
Energy Production
- Energy production involves oxidation-reduction reactions, which include the removal and addition of electrons to molecules.
- Oxidation is the removal of electrons, while reduction is the gain of electrons.
Carbohydrate Metabolism
- Carbohydrate metabolism is the breakdown of carbohydrate molecules to produce energy.
- Most microorganisms oxidize carbohydrates as their primary source of cellular energy.
- There are two major groups of glucose metabolism: respiration and fermentation.
Glycolysis
- Glycolysis is the oxidation of glucose to pyruvic acid, producing some ATP and energy-containing NADH.
- This pathway is used by most microorganisms and occurs in most living cells.
- Glycolysis does not require oxygen and can occur in the presence or absence of oxygen.
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Description
Learn about microbial physiology, the study of the vital life processes of microorganisms, including their morphology, nutritional needs, and more.
