CH 14 Metabolic Diversity of Microorganisms

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers key concepts related to the metabolic diversity of microorganisms, encompassing various metabolic processes, energy conservation, and biochemical pathways.

Metabolic Diversity

The variation in the biochemical processes and pathways used by different microorganisms to derive energy and nutrients.

Catabolism

The breakdown of complex molecules to obtain energy, often involving redox reactions.

Anabolism

The synthesis of complex molecules from simpler ones, requiring energy input.

ATP

Adenosine triphosphate, the primary energy carrier in cells.

Redox Reactions

Chemical reactions involving the transfer of electrons between two species.

Reduction Potential (E0')

A measure of the tendency of a chemical species to acquire electrons and be reduced.

Chemolithotrophy

Metabolism in which inorganic compounds serve as electron donors for the generation of ATP.

Anaerobic Respiration

A type of respiration that occurs without oxygen, using electron acceptors other than O2.

Fermentation

A metabolic process that converts sugar to acids, gases, or alcohol in the absence of oxygen.

Oxidative Phosphorylation

The process of ATP generation in which electrons are transferred through an electron transport chain and ultimately lead to ATP synthesis.

Substrate-Level Phosphorylation

A way of generating ATP by adding a phosphate group to ADP using energy from a metabolic reaction, not from an electron transport chain.

Electron Transport Chain (ETC)

A series of protein complexes that transfer electrons, releasing energy used to pump protons and generate ATP.

Proton Motive Force (pmf)

The electrochemical gradient generated by the transfer of protons across a membrane, used to synthesize ATP.

Chemotrophic Metabolism

Metabolic processes that derive energy from the oxidation of electron donors.

Dissimilative Nitrate Reduction (Denitrification)

The process of reducing nitrate to nitrogen gas, which can lead to loss of nitrogen from ecosystems.

Assimilative Processes

Reactions that reduce inorganic compounds to incorporate nutrients into biomass.

Dissimilative Processes

Reactions that reduce compounds without incorporating them into biomass, typically to conserve energy.

Methanogenesis

The biological production of methane, carried out by certain Archaea, under anaerobic conditions.

Nitrification

The biological oxidation of ammonia to nitrite followed by the oxidation of nitrite to nitrate.

Anaerobic Ammonia Oxidation (Anammox)

A process carried out by specific bacteria that convert ammonia and nitrite directly into nitrogen gas.

Hydrazine (N2H4)

A toxic intermediate formed during anammox that is oxidized to nitrogen gas.

Proteolytic Fermenters

Microorganisms that degrade and ferment proteins, producing amino acids and organic acids.

Syntrophy

A process by which two different organisms cooperate to perform a reaction neither can do alone.

Beta-Oxidation

A catabolic pathway that breaks down fatty acids to generate acetyl-CoA.

Oxygenase

An enzyme that incorporates oxygen into organic molecules.

Electron Bifurcation

A process in which electrons are split between two acceptors, allowing one reaction to be endergonic and another to be exergonic.

Heterotrophs

Organisms that obtain their carbon from organic compounds.

Autotrophs

Organisms that produce their own food using inorganic substances.

Calvin Cycle

A metabolic pathway of photosynthesis that fixes carbon dioxide into organic compounds.

NAD(P)H

A coenzyme that acts as a reducing agent in metabolic reactions, donating electrons.

Flavin-Based Electron Bifurcation

An energy-coupling mechanism that utilizes flavin coenzymes to drive reduction reactions.

Amino Acid Fermentation

The metabolic process where amino acids are fermented to yield organic products.

Mixed-Acid Fermentation

A fermentation process where multiple products, including acids, alcohol, and gases, are produced.

Ferredoxin

A low-potential electron carrier that plays a role in various redox reactions.

Proton Motive Force (pmf)

The electrochemical gradient that drives ATP synthesis in cells.

Calvin Cycle

The set of biochemical reactions that take place in chloroplasts during photosynthesis.