MBIO 1010 Chapter Notes - Chapter 3: Heterotroph, Sodium Chloride, Mannitol

• School: University of Manitoba
• Department: Microbiology
• Course: MBIO 1010
• Professor: De Kievit Teri

Document Summary

Macronutrients: elements required in large amounts to build macromolecules. The building blocks of cell material: c, h, o, n, p and s > 90% of the dry weight of the cell. Protein c, h, o, n (and s: polymer made of building blocks- amino acids, >50% of cell dry weight. Lipids- c, h, o (and p: building blocks = fatty acids and glycerol, eg. Carbohydrates- c, h, o (and n: building blocks= sugars, eg. Nucleic acids- c, h, o, n, p: building blocks= nucleotides, can act as co-factors, eg. Other macronutrients- inorganic ions (k, mg, ca, fe) Often serve as metabolic co-factors: non-protein component required for enzyme function. Examples: enzymes involved in protein synthesis require k, cytochromes (e- carriers) require fe2+ Other functions: mg2+ helps stabilize membranes and nucleic acids, ca2+ helps stabilize cell walls, and plays a role in heat stability of endospores. All of the macronutrients should be considered when making media (petri plates)