Question

Explain how the following chemicals are important in microbial growth: carbon, phosphorus, oxygen, sulfur, and nitrogen.

Answer 1

ROLE OF FOLLOWING NUTRIENT IN MICROBIAL GROWTH:-

1. CARBON (C) :-
-Carbon compounds are involved in structure and metabolism of all cells.
-Heterotroph:-obtain C in organic form.
-Autotroph: Uses inorganic CO2 as its carbon source.

2. PHOSPHORUS (P):-
-source of phosphorus is phosphate.
-Key comonent in nucleic acid and ATP.
-Phospholipids in cell membranes and coenzymes.

3.OXYGEN:-
- Oxygen is about 21% of the atmosphere.
- It is a major component of organic compounds.

4. SILFUR:-
-it is distributed throughout in mineral form.
-Essential comonent of some vitamins
-Amino acids- methionine and cysteine
Other nutrients important in microbial metabolism.

5. NITROGEN:-
- Primary nitrogen source for heterotrophs, proteins, DNA, RNA etc.
-some bacteria utilize inorganic nitrogenous nutrients and can transform N2 into usable compounds through nitrogen fixation.