MICROBIAL METABOLISM

MICROBIAL METABOLISM

1. CATABOLISM

   • Release energy
   • Breakdown of complex organic compounds--> simpler ones
   • hydrolytic (use H20, chemical bonds broken)
   • exergonic (net energy production)

2. ANABOLISM

   • require energy
   • building of complex organic molecules from simpler ones
   • dehydration reactions (release H2O)
   • endergonic (net energy consumption)
   • biosynthetic

3. ENERGY PRODUCTION

   • Energy produced in two general ways
     • Oxidation-reduction
       • Oxidation= removal of electrons from atom or molecule, often produces energy
         • cellular oxidation - involves simultaneous loss of electrons and protons (H+ and e-), electrons cannot exist "free" in solution; loss of H atoms = hydrogenation
       • Reduction = the gain of one or more electrons
       • oxidation and reduction are coupled reactions--> one molecule is oxidised, another is reduced= redox reactions
     • ATP generation