The Origin and Evolution of Heterotrophy

The flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts from the lecture notes on the origin and evolution of heterotrophy, providing definitions and explanations of important biological terms and processes.

Heterotrophy

A mode of nutrition in which organisms obtain organic molecules from other organisms.

Microbial systematics

A branch of microbiology that deals with the classification and categorization of microorganisms.

Horizontal Gene Transfer (HGT)

The transfer of genetic material between organisms in a manner other than traditional inheritance.

Fermentation

A type of anaerobic metabolism that converts organic compounds into energy without an electron transport chain.

Substrate-level phosphorylation

The direct synthesis of ATP by transferring a phosphate group to ADP from a substrate molecule.

Stickland fermentation

A fermentation process involving the coupled oxidation and reduction of amino acids.

Syntrophic growth

A metabolic interaction between two or more organisms in which they depend on each other for essential nutrients.

Acetyl-CoA

A central metabolite in various biochemical pathways, serving as the starting point for synthesizing fatty acids and energy production.

Deamination

The removal of an amino group from an amino acid, typically resulting in the formation of α-keto acids and ammonia.

Energy conservation

The process by which organisms capture and retain energy from their environment to sustain metabolic activities.

Hydrothermal vents

Geothermal features on the seafloor that release heated water, often rich in minerals, supporting diverse ecosystems.

Chemolithoautotrophy

The metabolic process where organisms obtain energy from inorganic compounds and use carbon dioxide as a carbon source.

Thermophiles

Organisms that thrive at high temperatures, often found in environments such as hot springs or hydrothermal vents.