Microbial Metabolism and Molecular Genetics

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to microbial metabolism, molecular genetics, gene regulation, mutations, and antibiotics.

Exergonic Reactions

Reactions that release energy and have a negative Gibbs Free Energy ($\Delta G^{\circ'}$).

Endergonic Reactions

Reactions that absorb energy and have a positive Gibbs Free Energy ($\Delta G^{\circ'}$).

Nitrification

The process of oxidizing Ammonia ($NH3$) to Nitrate ($NO3^-$).

Denitrification

The reduction of Nitrate to Nitrogen gas ($N_2$).

Nitrogen Fixation

The conversion of Nitrogen gas ($N2$) to Ammonia ($NH3$).

OIL RIG

A mnemonic for Oxidation Is Loss, Reduction Is Gain, regarding electron transfer.

Substrate-Level Phosphorylation

ATP production by transferring a phosphate group from a high-energy molecule to ADP.

Oxidative Phosphorylation

ATP production driven by the Proton Motive Force generated by the Electron Transport Chain.

Operons

A cluster of genes regulated together, involved in gene regulation.

Point Mutations

Mutations that involve a change in a single nucleotide.

Auxotroph

A mutant organism that cannot synthesize a specific nutrient and requires it in the media.

Transduction

The process by which viral transfer of DNA occurs, can be generalized or specialized.

Riboswitches

RNA elements in mRNA that can bind small molecules to control translation or transcription.

Bacteriostatic

Antibiotics that inhibit growth but do not kill bacteria.

Bactericidal

Antibiotics that kill bacteria.