Metabolic Diversity and Microbial Ecology

Catabolism

The process of breaking down complex molecules.

Anabolism

The process of synthesizing complex molecules.

Chemolithotroph

obtains energy from inorganic compounds.

Phototroph

Microorganism obtaining energy from light.

Chemoorganotroph

Microorganism obtaining energy from organic compounds.

Autotroph

Organism producing organic molecules from inorganic nutrients.

Heterotroph

Organism using pre-formed organic molecules for energy.

Oligotrophy

Ability to grow at low nutrient concentrations.

Syntrophy

Interdependent metabolic cooperation between microbial species.

Fermentation

Process converting electrons into organic products.

Respiration

Process converting electrons into inorganic electron acceptors.

Central metabolism

Includes glycolysis and the TCA cycle.

Secondary metabolism

Involves metabolites not essential for survival.

Baas Becking hypothesis

States that everything is everywhere, but the environment selects.

Van Niel hypotheses

States that every molecule can be used as a carbon or energy source by a microbe.

Niche construction

Shaping of habitat dimensions by organisms.

Extremophiles

Microbes living in extreme conditions.

Microbial blooms

Can create oxygen minimum zones due to respiration.

Mutualism

Symbiotic relationship where both host and microbes benefit.

Pathogenesis

Microbes causing harm to the host.