Catabolism and Anabolism Lecture Notes

Flashcards covering the definitions and concepts of microbial catabolism, anabolism, and communal digestion processes.

Catabolism

The breakdown of complex molecules into smaller ones to provide energy for cells.

Anabolism

The chemical reactions within a microbe that build cells.

Starch (amylose)

A glucose polymer characterized by $\alpha$-1,4-acetal links.

Cellulose

A glucose polymer characterized by $\beta$-1,4-acetal links.

Pectin

A galacturonic acid polymer where C-1 is oxidized to $COOH$ and contains $\alpha$-1,4-acetal links.

Xyloglucans

The major polysaccharide found in lettuce and tomatoes which humans cannot digest without the help of gut bacteria.

Polysaccharide utilization locus (PUL)

A specific set of genes required for the digestion of each type of xyloglucan.

Starch utilization system (SUS)

The common ancestral system from which Polysaccharide utilization loci (PULs) evolved.

Bacteroides

Gut bacteria that possess multiple PULs and share catabolic enzymes with their community by pinching off outer membrane vesicles.

Glycolysis

A central catabolic pathway that converts a Glucose ($6C$) molecule into two Pyruvate ($3C$) molecules.

TCA cycle

A central pathway of catabolism that processes Acetyl-CoA ($2C$) and releases $CO_2$.

Aromatic molecules

A class of catabolic substrates that includes substances such as Lignin, Benzoate, Vanillin, and Trinitrotoluene (TNT).